Wrong-way driver charged with deaths

TOLEDO, Ohio, Jan. 1 (UPI) -- A man who killed five people by driving his pickup truck the wrong way down a Toledo, Ohio, highway has been charged with aggravated vehicular homicide.

Michael Gagnon, who had a blood alcohol content of 0.254 percent -- more than three times the legal limit to operate a car -- struck a van nearly head-on while driving the wrong way along southbound I-280, killing a mother and four children, The Toledo Blade reported.

Gagnon was taken to the Lucas County jail pending a scheduled arraignment Wednesday in Toledo Municipal Court.

Bethany Griffin, 36, Jordan Griffin, 10, Lacie Burkman, 7, and Haley Burkman, 10, were pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, while 8-week-old Vadie Griffin was pronounced dead at St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center.

The van's driver, Danny Griffin Jr., 36, was listed in serious condition Monday evening at St. Vincent, while Sidney Griffin, 8, was listed in critical condition. A hospital spokesman said Beau Burkman, 8, was discharged from the hospital at about 4:45 p.m. Monday.