Nicholas Fenik, 25, of Vermilion, has pleaded guilty to causing a crash that killed 28-year-old Trent Neal of Lorain. The crash happened in June 2023 on Kolbe Road. Fenik was driving under the influence of alcohol, and Neal was a passenger in the car.
Fenik entered his plea Wednesday in Lorain County Common Pleas Court. He pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated vehicular homicide, a felony, along with several misdemeanor charges. These included driving under the influence, operating a vehicle without being in control, and driving in a reckless and unsafe manner.
As part of a plea agreement, a second felony count of aggravated vehicular homicide was dropped. The agreement includes a sentence of four years in prison, with the chance for early release. However, the sentence is not yet final. Lorain County Judge Giovanna Bremke will make the final decision during a hearing scheduled for May 5 at 10 a.m.
The fatal crash happened just after 10:30 p.m. on June 17, 2023. According to Lorain police, Fenik was driving a red 2005 Dodge Neon northbound on Kolbe Road. Trent Neal, a 28-year-old Lorain resident, was sitting in the front passenger seat.
Police say the car had just passed the intersection of Kolbe Road and Oakcrest Drive when it failed to make a curve. It went off the right side of the road, struck a culvert, and flipped over before coming to rest upright in the front yard of a home at 4101 Kolbe Road.
Neal was seriously injured and flown by helicopter to MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland. He later died from his injuries. Fenik was taken to University Hospitals Elyria Medical Center with serious injuries.
Investigators said Fenik and Neal had both attended a birthday party earlier that night. Fenik, who had been drinking, chose to drive afterward. Lorain police say the crash was preventable. Sgt. Kyle Gelenius, who reconstructed the accident, described it as “tragic” and said Fenik made a conscious decision to drink and drive.
In a February 2024 press release, Sgt. Gelenius said Fenik continued to post on social media about drinking and driving even after the crash that killed his passenger.
In April 2024, a Lorain County grand jury indicted Fenik on two felony counts of aggravated vehicular homicide, as well as misdemeanor DUI and reckless driving charges. He was booked into the Lorain County Jail and released on bond on April 12, 2024.
The guilty plea entered this week means the trial that had been scheduled for May 5 is now canceled. Instead, Judge Bremke will hear the case for sentencing on that day. If she agrees with the plea deal, Fenik will begin serving his four-year sentence, although the court may consider early judicial release.
According to the Lorain County Prosecutor’s Office, the plea agreement was made after discussion with both the Lorain Police Department and Neal’s family. Chief Assistant Prosecutor Chris Pierre confirmed that the family was consulted and approved the resolution to avoid a trial.
Trent Neal’s death was a heavy loss to his community. He was a 2012 graduate of Amherst Steele High School and worked at Ford’s Ohio Assembly Plant in Lorain County. He was also a member of UAW Local 2000. Neal’s obituary describes him as a talented mechanic and outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing, kayaking, and four-wheeling.
The court proceedings have drawn public interest because of the circumstances of the crash and the impact on both families. The facts of the case show that the crash likely would not have happened if Fenik had not driven while impaired.
For many, this case highlights the lasting damage drunk driving can cause. It shows how a single night of poor decisions can lead to lifelong consequences, including death, injury, and prison time.
With sentencing set for May 5, attention now turns to the court for the final decision. The hearing will take place in Judge Bremke’s courtroom, where she will consider the full details of the case, the plea agreement, and any additional statements made during the hearing.