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Additional charges possible for 2020 crash after passenger dies

| January 10, 2022

Larry A. Short of Uhrichsville could end up facing criminal charges for the death of Joseph Demattio of Dover. Demattio had been hospitalized since the crash and died on Christmas Day. Short fled the scene and was apprehended by Dover Police after a brief footchase. (WJER Radio)

NEW PHILADELPHIA (WJER) (Jan. 10, 2022) – Grand jurors could end up considering charges for the death of a 23-year-old Dover man who was critically injured in a violent crash the summer before last.

Joseph “Joey” Demattio was a passenger in a car that ran a stop sign and collided with an SUV at the intersection of Cross and East Third streets in Dover on August 27th, 2020. He had been hospitalized since the crash and succumbed to his injuries on Christmas Day.

The man behind the wheel, Larry A Short of Uhrichsville, a 23-year-old female riding in his vehicle and the driver of the SUV were transported by ambulance to area hospitals with suspected minor injuries. Short has pleaded not guilty to single counts of vehicular assault, failing to stop after an accident, and operating a vehicle with willful and wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property. He will appear in Tuscarawas County Common Pleas Court for a pretrial hearing on February 14th.

New Philadelphia Highway Patrol Post officials have said that Short had warrants out for his arrest and was trying to elude a Dover Police officer at the time of the crash. Police ended up apprehending Short after a brief foot chase through a residential neighborhood. He was transported by ambulance to an area hospital with suspected minor injuries, as was a 23-year-old woman who had been riding in his vehicle and the driver of the SUV.

Assistant County Prosecutor Fred Scott says he’s awaiting a report from the coroner’s office to present to the grand jury for consideration. A celebration of Demattio’s life will take place at the Dover Eagles on January 22nd from 2 to 7 pm.

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  1. Myndi Devore

    January 11, 2022 at 6:59 am

    Joey was a beautiful person who had so much life left to live and more to give to this community. This man took all of that away from Joey. I remember singing lullabies and tucking Joey into his sponge Bob bedding. He has been missed dearly and will forever be missed by so many who knew him: he was the Oldest Half brother to my son Anthony and it breaks his heart to know that he won’t be here to see the wonders and great milestones of his younger brothers lives. Prayers to all of Joeys family and friends, especially his mother, brothers and grandparents.

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