TRUMBULL COUNTY, OH - 24 hours after former Trumbull County Deputy Dallas Young was fired on March 31 for actions the Trumbull County Sheriff's Office believes led to a deadly car crash in December 2020, Newton Falls Police Chief Gene Fixler is giving Young another chance in law enforcement.

"We know him to be an excellent officer," Fixler said. 

Fixler happened to also assist the call on December 2 at the Braceville gas station which led to Deputy Young's termination. 

Fixler believes 28-year-old Michael Haehner, a Ravenna man who later crashed his car killing himself and a 54-year-old woman Windham woman, did not appear to be impaired before Young allowed Haehner to drive away.

"I will say, if I hadn't been there I'd probably have my own questions from what I've seen on Facebook and what I read in the paper. However, I was there," he said, "There was almost 100 years of police experience at that scene. I can say that this individual was not impaired in any way that we could see."

Fixler believes Haehner did drugs after he drove away, despite records stating Young found evidence of drugs on scene.

"I believe that syringe was on the ground prior to us getting there," he said, "It appeared it was run over... it appeared it was dirty...It was on the ground." said. 

Fixler said he didn't see Haehner drive away when it happened. 

"It was a decision made by the deputy on what he decided to do at that point," he said, "I honestly was in my car doing something else when the person drove off."

Newton Falls City Manager David Lynch said he also supports the hiring of Young. Young's lawyer filed an appeal in court against the Trumbull County Sheriff Department's ruling of Young's termination, Lynch said. 

"He [Young] has appealed the determination made by the Sheriff's office which means he hasn't been given due process and has not had his day in court," Lynch said, "In America, everyone is presumed innocent until such time in due process has announced them guilty."

He added Young had multiple roles of law enforcement in Newton Falls for "many years" and respects Young. 

The Bureau of Criminal Investigation has taken on the case at the request of the Trumbull County Sheriff's Department to determine if criminal charges will be filed.