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Man facing charges after recording video of fatal crash, teen’s dying moments

Posted at 1:57 PM, Jul 16, 2015
and last updated 2015-07-16 13:57:32-04

LORAIN, Ohio -- A man who recorded the aftermath of a crash that took the life of a 17-year-old boy is now facing charges.

Shortly before 1 a.m. Monday, a car crashed into a house on Kansas Avenue in Lorain, Ohio.

Police said the 17-year-old driver was incapacitated and the passenger, Cameron Friend, was left unconscious.  He was taken to an area hospital, where he died from his injuries.

Neighbors rushed to help the teens while they waited for paramedics. However, police said Paul Pelton, of Lorain, didn't attempt to aid the boys. Instead, he recorded video on his cell phone.

"While others were rendering aid to these boys, a male took the opportunity to video this horrible scene with his cell phone. In the video, the male makes comments that the boys were 'Idiots,' and holds his cell phone so that he can film these two boys who were in medical crisis," Lorain police told WJW. He's accused of opening the car door as he continued to record video.

Pelton did not turn the recording over to authorities. Police said he posted the video on Facebook and attempted to sell it to at least two news stations. The Lorain Police Department called it an attempt to make a profit from "a young man's dying moments."

The 41-year-old was arrested on a vehicle trespass charge.