Man who filmed, posted video of fatal crash facing charges

A man who recorded the aftermath of an Ohio crash that took the life of a 17-year-old boy is now facing charges.

Shortly before 1 a.m. Monday, a car crashed into a house on Kansas Avenue in Lorain. Police said the 17-year-old driver was incapacitated and the passenger, Cameron Friend, was left unconscious. He was taken to an area hospital, where he died from his injuries.

Neighbors rushed to help the teens while they waited for paramedics. But police said Paul Pelton, of Lorain, didn‘t attempt to aid the boys. Instead, he recorded video on his cell phone.

"While others were rendering aid to these boys, a male took the opportunity to video this horrible scene with his cell phone. In the video, the male makes comments that the boys were ‘Idiots,‘ and holds his cell phone so that he can film these two boys who were in medical crisis," Lorain police said. He‘s accused of opening the car door as he continued to record.

Pelton did not turn the recording over to authorities. Police said he posted the video on Facebook and attempted to sell it to at least two news stations, including Fox 8 News, but we declined. The Lorain Police Department called it an attempt to make a profit from "a young man‘s dying moments."

The 41-year-old was arrested at his house on a vehicle trespass charge.