Man sentenced for New Year's Eve crash that killed father and two children

The video in the player above shows earlier coverage of this incident.

DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) — A man has been sentenced to at least 64 years in prison after a triple fatal crash on New Year's Day 2023.

The Montgomery County District Attorney's Office announced the sentencing of Carl Smith, 45, of Dayton. He was convicted of killing three people in a car crash on January 1, 2023.

On Sunday, January 1, 2023, sheriff's deputies were dispatched to a traffic accident in the 5900 block of Germantown Pike in Jefferson Township. Upon arrival, crews discovered a head-on collision involving two vehicles.

In one vehicle were eight passengers, including one adult and seven children. Two occupants were pronounced dead at the scene: Ta'Wayne Palmer Sr., 49, and his son, Ta'Wayne Palmer Jr., 13. The other passengers were taken to the hospital, where Octavis, 9, Palmer was also pronounced dead on arrival.

The investigation determined that the driver of the other vehicle, Carl Smith, crossed the center line and struck the victim's vehicle head-on. The defendant's blood alcohol level at the time of the accident was 0.290%, more than three times the legal limit. His driver's license was also suspended at the time of the accident.

On March 29, 2023, the Montgomery County Grand Jury indicted Smith on:

• Three counts of vehicular manslaughter – driving with a suspended license
• Two counts of aggravated vehicular assault – under suspension
• Three counts of operating a motor vehicle under the influence

On June 13, a jury found the defendant guilty on all counts. Today, Wednesday, June 26, Smith was sentenced to a total of 64 to 71.5 years in prison.