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CROMWELL - A pair of teenagers who reportedly were in a car with a New Paris boy found dead in a pond Nov. 20 could face charges in the incident.
"We have not reached a decision (on filing charges) yet," said Noble County Prosecutor Steven Clouse Thursday afternoon. "Investigators are still gathering information. The case remains open at this time."
Clouse would not comment on possible charges being considered in the case.
Thomas M. Hoopingarner, 17, of 68441 Jefferson St., New Paris, was pronounced dead after his car was found submerged, upside down in Greebe Pond near the Tri-County Fish and Game Reserve Nov. 20.
Police say two 15-year-old passengers in the vehicle at the time of the crash fled the scene. The passengers, who reportedly are from the Syracuse area, did not report the accident.
Preliminary reports say Hoopingarner died of "aspiration (caused by) foreign material," said Noble County Coroner Dr. Terry Gaff.
When Hoopingarner's 1987 Honda Civic was found, it was partially submerged, and ice surrounded the vehicle. Members of the Sparta Township Fire Department put a boat in the water and chipped ice away to get to the car.
A person passing by the accident around 6 a.m. Nov. 20 reported the accident, and police pulled the vehicle out of the water around 6:45 a.m. Police do not know when the accident occurred or Hoopingarner's exact time of death.
Once the vehicle was pulled to dry land, Hoopingarner's body was found inside the car, still strapped in his seatbelt.
