Driver in crash that killed 2 children is held on $2M bond

ELYRIA, Ohio (AP) - A northeast Ohio man indicted for a four-vehicle crash that killed two children is being held on $2 million bond.

Robert Eckenrode has pleaded not guilty in Lorain County to charges including aggravated vehicular homicide and driving under the influence of drugs.

The Chronicle-Telegram in Elyria (eh-LEER’-ee-uh) reports the 48-year-old Canton man was arrested this month in the Aug. 8 collision on state Route 2. Authorities say he was driving a box truck that hit another vehicle, triggering a chain-reaction crash.

Eckenrode’s attorney, J. Anthony Rich, said Monday he hasn’t had sufficient time to review the case and it would be premature to comment.

Twelve-year-old Mackenzie Lansberry, of Sheffield, and 21-month-old Daniel Turner, of Lorain, died from their injuries.

Authorities said several other people were injured. Eckenrode wasn’t hurt.

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Information from: The Chronicle-Telegram, http://www.chronicletelegram.com