Witness in fatal crash case testifies he smelled alcohol on breath of defendant

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) -- One of the first witnesses on the scene of a fatal accident in Coitsville testified Tuesday in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court that he smelled alcohol on the breath of the man accused of causing the crash. Testifying in the trial of Robert Powell, 25, the witness said shortly after the April 10, 2025, crash that took the life of 62-year-old John Klunis, of New Castle, Pa., at U.S. 422 and North Hubbard Road, Powell was outside his truck and said he was cold. The witness got a coat out of Powell's truck, and when he went to give it to him, Powell's breath smelled of alcohol, the witness said. Powell, of North Carolina, is charged with aggravated vehicular homicide, a second-degree felony; improper handling of a firearm in a motor vehicle, a fifth-degree felony; and operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, a first-degree misdemeanor. A jury was seated before Judge Anthony Donofrio on Monday, and opening statements and testimony began Tuesday. The witness also testified that it appeared as if Powell was slurring his words, and he had trouble walking. When a Coitsville police officer showed up, the witness told the officer to talk to Powell because of the odor of alcohol, he testified. Under cross-examination by defense attorney Tracey Laslo, the witness said he did not smell alcohol in Powell's truck when he went to get his coat. Laslo also pointed out that the crash caused significant damage to both vehicles, which could have caused Powell to stumble so soon after it happened.