Wesley S. Finley Obituary, Death: Kentucky man, 24, dies in Kelleys Island Memorial Day crash into Lake Erie
Wesley S. Finley Obituary, Death – In the early morning hours of Memorial Day, a tragic accident on Kelleys Island claimed the life of a 24-year-old Kentucky man when his car overturned and plunged into Lake Erie. The Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) confirmed the fatal crash, which occurred around 2 a.m. on May 26 along West Lakeshore Drive, just west of Huntington Street.
The driver was identified as Wesley S. Finley, a 24-year-old resident of East Bernstadt, Kentucky. According to OSHP reports, Finley was driving a 2000 Ford Mustang westbound on West Lakeshore Drive when the vehicle veered off the left side of the road. The car then collided with several metal fenceposts, struck a deck, and hit multiple rocks before overturning.
The Mustang eventually came to rest partially submerged in the waters of Lake Erie. Tragically, Finley did not survive the crash. Authorities confirmed that he was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident, a factor that likely contributed to the fatal outcome.
At this time, it remains unclear whether alcohol or drugs played any role in the crash. OSHP is continuing its investigation to determine the exact circumstances leading up to the incident.
No other injuries were reported at the scene, and no other vehicles were involved in the crash.
Several local agencies assisted with the response and investigation, including the Kelleys Island Police Department, Kelleys Island Fire Department and EMS, Erie County Sheriff’s Office, and the Erie County Coroner’s Office, with Dr. Baxter leading the coroner’s examination. Sugar Ridge Towing also assisted in recovering the vehicle.
This devastating incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of impaired or distracted driving and the critical importance of using seatbelts. As investigations continue, authorities urge the community to prioritize road safety and caution, especially during holiday weekends when traffic incidents tend to increase.
