Real-life 'Nightcrawler' filmed grisly car crash instead of helping teen who was dying inside the wreck and then tried to SELL the footage

A northeast Ohio man who recorded grisly cellphone video of a car crash that killed one teenager and critically injured another has pleaded guilty to vehicle trespass and disorderly conduct.

The charges stem from Paul Pelton having opened a car door of the wrecked vehicle to continue recording while others tried to help the two teens. 

Police said Pelton can be heard on the video calling the teens 'idiots'.

The 41-year-old's plea deal on Tuesday in Lorain includes the dismissal of felony bribery and witness intimidation charges.

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Paul Pelton (pictured in his mug shots) pleaded guilty to charges of vehicle trespass and disorderly conduct

Wreckage: Above, the scene of the deadly crash in northeast Ohio. Pelton filmed the scene instead of aiding the victims

Pelton was accused of trying to persuade the teenage driver to tell police he had permission to open the car door after the single-car accident in July. 

A 17-year-old passenger in the car suffered fatal injuries after the car went airborne at a railroad crossing.

Cops say that neighbors reported Pelton had stood over the victims filming and never lifted a finger to help the teens.

'Why he would think it is a good idea to confront a 17-year-old kid who is going through all this turmoil in his life - losing his best friend, being severely injured and potentially facing charges - and have this juvenile lie to benefit his misdemeanor case, is beyond belief,' Sivert told The Morning Journal of Lorain. 

Victims: Cameron Friend (left), 17, was a passenger in the car that crashed in Lorain, Ohio. He later died from his injuries. Zachary Goodin (right), who was the driver, survived

Police said the driver's mother notified them last week that Pelton came to their home and offered to claim that police caused additional injuries to the driver's friend if the driver would tell police he had permission to enter the car and record the crash scene.

Police said Pelton contacted the driver through social media and said he had 'important information' about the case. 

Police said the teen told them that Pelton was at his house for 20 to 30 minutes and challenged news media accounts of his actions.

Police have said he tried unsuccessfully to sell the video to several news organizations. They said it was posted to Facebook, but later removed.

The bizarre case bears strong resemblance to the plot of the critically acclaimed neo-noir drama Nightcrawler, where Jake Gyllenhaal plays petty criminal Louis Bloom who starts shooting footage of gruesome crimes and accidents in Los Angeles and then hawking his videos to local news stations. 

Pelton could only be charged for opening the door of what was then a crime scene. Filming a crash is not a crime.

One of Pelton's attorneys declined to comment on Wednesday. 

Both charges carry a maximum of 30 days in jail and a $250 fine.  

Heartless: Above, the cellphone footage captured on Pelton's phone. Police said Pelton can be heard on the video calling the teens 'idiots'