Three Members Of Ohio Hard Rock Band Killed In Auto Accident

An Ohio-based hard rock band and their fans, friends and family are reeling from the news that three of the group's members were killed in an automobile accident outside the city of Dayton at the weekend, already marred by the tragic loss of UK indie band Viola Beach and their manager in a single-vehicle crash in Sweden.

As local outlet WHIO reports, Devin Bachmann, 26, Earl Miller II, 27, and Kyle Canter, 23 — all of whom played in local band CounterFlux — were travelling with their friend, 29-year-old Vashti Nicole Brown, when their SUV was struck by another vehicle travelling the wrong way down Dayton's Interstate 75 in the early hours of Saturday morning (US time).

All four, along with the driver of the at-fault vehicle, 61-year-old James Pohlabeln, were killed in the incident.

The band's bassist, Aleks Clayborn, confirmed the news on the band's Facebook page.

"I'm sure most of you have heard by now, but for those of you who haven't, we lost Earl, Kyle and Devin early this morning," he wrote. "There's nothing worse than losing friends, family or otherwise. These guys became like brothers to [drummer] Matt [Dennedy] and myself. Our hearts and prayers go out to their families, no parent should ever have to go through this, ever.

"These guys loved you, the fans, the friends, the family. And to honor them Matt and I have decided to finish the Album we started together. It will be a last Hoorah and one of the best things we can think of to honor our lost brothers.

"Please when you're out at the bar, whether you're playing a show, checking out a show or what have you, take a designated driver if you plan to drink, or call a cab. Your actions and choices affect more than just you and though a totaled car can be replaced a life cannot."

The tragedy of the accident is heightened even further by the revelation that Pohlabeln had been released from jail less than two days earlier in connection with another suspected drunk-driving crash. Police have said they believe alcohol was a contributing factor in the fatal accident.

Additionally, WHIO says, police received an emergency call about 3am on Saturday from a driver advising that a sedan — later confirmed to be Pohlabeln's — was driving the wrong way on I-75, with the caller having to pull over to avoid a collision. Soon after, 9-1-1 dispatchers received another call reporting that there had been a two-vehicle crash on the road.

Chris Dues, a motorist who was one of the first to come across the grim scene, described it as "horrific", explaining, "There was no front end on either of the vehicles. There was an alternator 10 feet from the car, just sitting out in the road." 

"I've never seen anything like that before in my life, and I can go the rest of my life without seeing it again, unless I can save someone next time," Dues told WHIO.

Friends of the band are organising a memorial concert for those who lost their lives in the accident, with all proceeds being donated to the families of the victims.