- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Springfield Today
By the People, for the People
Drunk driver sentenced to 48 years for double fatal crash in Clark Co.
Dustin Thompson pleaded guilty to charges including aggravated vehicular homicide and OVI.
Published on Feb. 13, 2026
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
A 29-year-old man has been sentenced to 48 years in prison for causing a double fatal crash in Clark County, Ohio in April 2025. Dustin Thompson pleaded guilty to charges including aggravated vehicular homicide and operating a vehicle under the influence (OVI) after the crash that killed 20-year-old Robert Thomas and 26-year-old Megan Branam.
Why it matters
Impaired driving crashes continue to be a major public safety issue, with alcohol-related fatalities accounting for a significant portion of all traffic deaths in the U.S. This case highlights the severe consequences that can result from drunk driving and the ongoing need for stronger enforcement and education efforts to prevent such tragedies.
The details
According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the crash occurred on April 12, 2025 in the 800 block of East County Line Road in Clark County. Thompson was driving westbound when he went left of center and struck the oncoming vehicle carrying Thomas and Branam, who were both killed at the scene. A third occupant in their vehicle was seriously injured and flown to a nearby hospital. The investigation found that Thompson was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash.
- The crash occurred on April 12, 2025.
- Thompson was sentenced on February 13, 2026.
The players
Dustin Thompson
A 29-year-old man who pleaded guilty to charges including aggravated vehicular homicide and OVI for causing a double fatal crash in Clark County, Ohio in 2025.
Robert Thomas
A 20-year-old from Urbana, Ohio who was killed in the crash.
Megan Branam
A 26-year-old from Springfield, Ohio who was killed in the crash.
What’s next
Thompson remains in the Clark County Jail as he serves his 48-year sentence.
The takeaway
This tragic case underscores the devastating impact that drunk driving can have on individuals, families, and communities. It serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of responsible alcohol consumption and the need for continued efforts to prevent impaired driving and hold offenders accountable.
