A Minerva man is now facing multiple charges following a crash in Portage County that claimed the lives of two men in October of 2024.
Matthew C. Simms, 42, is currently in the Portage County Jail and is scheduled for arraignment Friday morning in Portage County Common Pleas Court. Simms has been indicted by a grand jury on two counts each of second- and third-degree felony aggravated vehicular homicide in the deaths of David G. Moore Sr., 80, of Rootstown, and Garnett W. McGlothlin, 80, of Atwater. Additionally, Simms is charged with two counts of first-degree misdemeanor operating a vehicle under the influence and a minor misdemeanor for driving left of center. He was booked into the Portage County Jail on Wednesday.
The fatal crash occurred on Monday, October 14, at approximately 9:44 a.m. on State Route 44 near milepost 28. According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Ravenna Post, Simms was driving a southbound 2009 Lincoln MKS when he crossed the center line and collided head-on with a northbound 2015 Chevrolet Equinox.
The impact forced the Equinox off the road and into a ditch. McGlothlin was pronounced dead at the scene, while Moore succumbed to his injuries en route to the hospital. Simms sustained minor injuries in the crash.
Authorities indicated that drugs might have been a contributing factor in the incident. State Route 44 was closed for several hours while investigators worked at the scene.
The investigation was conducted with the assistance of the Rootstown Fire Department and EMS, the Portage County Sheriff’s Office, the Portage County Coroner’s Office, the Portage County Prosecutor’s Office, and Kale’s Towing.
This is a developing story. Stay tuned for updates as more information becomes available.
