Speed allegedly played a role in Burlington crash that left driver dead, passenger severely injured

BURLINGTON, Ky. (FOX 56) — Deputies with the Boone County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) wrote that speed allegedly contributed to a deadly crash early Friday morning in Burlington.

According to a news release, deputies were dispatched around 4 a.m. on Sept. 26 in response to a single-vehicle crash at the intersection of East Bend Road and Possom Path Road.

Authorities said the driver, 48-year-old Matthew Combs, of Burlington, was headed west toward the intersection when he allegedly failed to maneuver around a curve, crossing over to the other end of the road, where the car hit a tree.

The car reportedly overturned before coming to a rest on its right side, blocking both lanes of traffic.

Combs was pronounced dead at the scene by Burlington fire officials, according to the sheriff’s office. The right front passenger, 44-year-old Stephanie Schulze, was pulled out of the car and taken to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center with “potentially life-threatening injuries.”

Investigators wrote that alcohol and drug impairment had not yet been determined, but speed was “considered a contributing factor.” Combs wasn’t wearing a seat belt at the time, but Schulze was.

No criminal charges have been filed, and everyone involved is cooperating with authorities. The BCSO’s accident reconstruction unit is actively investigating the deadly crash.