RAVENNA, Ohio - A Mahoning County man has died in a one-car crash that state troopers say didn't have to happen.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol in Portage County says 53-year-old Gene Frey Jr. of Sebring was the driver of a Chevy Monte Carlo that crashed in Charlestown Township Tuesday morning.

Troopers say Frey’s car overtook several other vehicles at a high rate of speed near Rock Springs Road, when his car went out of control, went off the road, struck a ditch, and overturned.

Both Frey and his passenger, neither of whom were wearing a seat belt, were thrown from the Monte Carlo.

Frey was pronounced dead at the scene.  The female passenger, 49-year-old Tami Slabaugh of Kent, was flown to Akron City Hospital with injuries the patrol describes as life-threatening.

"This is a tragedy which did not have to happen and unfortunately, loved ones are left behind to suffer" stated Lt. Jeffrey Greene, OSHP Ravenna Post Commander. "For the second time in 4 days, a Portage County crash has claimed the life of a motorist due to their failure to comply with Ohio's safety belt law.”

Of the four fatal crashes in Portage County this year, three have involved no safety belts, and three involved excessive speed.

“We have a passenger fighting for her life in the hospital from today's crash. Family members do not deserve to suffer this type of senseless pain. Had these motorists chosen to properly apply their safety belts, the outcomes may have been much different," said Greene.

Excessive speed is a factor, and impairment has not been ruled out, according to the patrol.