A tragic car crash in Monroe County claimed the life of a 54-year-old man, identified as Newport resident Noel Smith, on Thursday night. The incident occurred at approximately 10:19 p.m. on Nov. 23 on Newport Road east of War Road in Frenchtown Township.
According to Monroe County police, Smith was traveling westbound in a 2014 Ford Focus when he veered past the center lane into oncoming traffic, resulting in a head-on collision with a Ford F-250.
Regrettably, Noel Smith was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities revealed that he was not wearing a seatbelt and was ejected from the vehicle upon impact, as reported by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.
The driver of the Ford F-250, identified as 39-year-old Nicole Herron, also from Newport, was transported to the hospital and reported to be in stable condition as of Friday morning. Herron, who was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash, suffered injuries but was expected to recover.
Preliminary investigations by law enforcement indicated that alcohol played a role in the fatal collision; however, specific details regarding the level of impairment were not disclosed. The crash remains under active investigation, with authorities urging anyone with information to contact them at 734-240-7756 or submit anonymous tips to Crime Stoppers online or by calling 1-800-Speak Up.
This unfortunate incident serves as a somber reminder of the potential consequences of impaired driving, emphasizing the importance of responsible behavior behind the wheel to ensure the safety of all road users.
