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Steamburg Man Charged After Fatal Accident

MAYVILLE — A Steamburg man is facing reckless driving and other charges following a crash late last week that killed a passenger.

The Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office announced the charges Thursday to 41-year-old James A. Newell. The Cattaraugus County man was driving when he crashed Feb. 15 around 11:30 a.m. on Gerry-Ellington Road in Gerry. The vehicle sustained significant damage in the crash.

Newell’s 43-year-old brother, Paul, was a passenger in the vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene. Newell had to be extricated from the wreckage and was taken by helicopter to UPMC Hamot in Erie, Pa., for serious, but non-life-threatening injuries.

Following an investigation by the Sheriff’s Office and Chautauqua County District Attorney’s Office, Newell was charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, reckless driving, unsafe passing, failure to keep right and speed not reasonable and prudent.

Newell is scheduled to appear in Gerry Town Court at a later date to answer the charges.

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