WILMINGTON — A man was sentenced in Clinton County Municipal Court for causing the death of a passenger in another car when he fell asleep at the wheel on I-71 in May.
Zachary Craft, 18, of Ocean Springs, Mississippi was charged with vehicular homicide after a two-vehicle accident which left one person dead.
According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol investigation, Craft fell asleep at the wheel near milepost 48 in Chester Township, traveled off the left side of the roadway, over-corrected and sideswiped another vehicle, which resulted in the death of one of the passengers.
There was no evidence of drugs or alcohol involved, according to the report.
Judge Mike Daugherty sentenced Craft to 180 days in jail (suspended), fined $1,000, assessed $125 court costs, and had his operator’s license suspended from Nov. 10, 2016 to Nov. 10, 2021.
Craft must commit no offenses for two years, participate in non-reporting probation, must obtain mental health assessment within 30 days and follow all recommendations. The court will consider limited driving privileges after May 10, 2017 upon petition.
Additional charges of driving in marked lanes and failure to control were dismissed.
Others found guilty
The following report is compiled using a disposition report provided by Clinton County Municipal Court. The information includes the defendant’s name, age, residence if listed, charge(s) disposed, fine, court costs assessed, jail sentence and any special conditions. Municipal Judge Mike Daugherty oversees the court, which administers the law in criminal misdemeanor cases.
The following pled guilty or were found guilty of crimes between Nov. 8 and Nov. 14:
• Donald Howland, 31, of Washington Court House, theft, sentenced to 3 days in jail, assessed $125 court costs. Howland must pay costs only and write a letter of apology to the victim.
• Dwight Bullard II, 41, of Wilmington, disorderly conduct, sentenced to 30 days in jail (suspended), fined $250, assessed $125 court costs. The charge was amended from domestic violence, he must commit no offenses for 24 months, participate in non-reporting probation, follow up with mental health assessment and counseling.
• Rhonda Shultz, 49, of Wilmington, theft, assessed $125 court costs. Schultz must complete diversion, if compliant court will vacate the verdict and dismiss the charge.
• Jimmy Fall, 40, of Port William, two charges of trespassing, sentenced to 60 days in jail (suspended), fined $100, assessed $250 court costs. Fall must have no contact with either property and commit no offenses for 24 months, and participate in non-reporting probation.
• Richard Smith, 26, of Wilmington, possession of drug instruments, sentenced to 180 days in jail, fined $1,000, assessed $125 court costs.
• Kody Hartman, 26, of Orlando, driving 92 in a 70 mph speed zone, fined $105, assessed $125 court costs. The case was waived by the defendant.
• Lenna Kinney, 40, of New Lexington, driving 90 in a 70 mph speed zone, fined $105, assessed $125 court costs. The case was waived by the defendant.
• Courtney Billingsley, 27, of Melbourne, driving 90 in a 70 mph speed zone, fined $105, assessed $125 court costs. The case was waived by the defendant.
• Randal Lamb, 35, of Wilmington, disorderly conduct, fined $100, assessed $125 court costs. A charge of driving under suspension-financially and a charge of resisting/interfering with an official was dismissed.
• Jordan Young, 19, of Centerville, possession of marijuana, fined $105, assessed $125 court costs.
• Slaney Palmer, 31, of Evanston, going 93 in a 70 mph speed zone, fined $105, assessed $125 court costs. The case was waived by the defendant.
• Perry Murphy, 55, of Blanchester, driving under suspension-failure to reinstate license, fined $50, assessed $125 court costs. Murphy shall commit no offenses for a period of 24 months and participate in non-reporting probation.
• Zachary Henry, 21, of Wilmington, possession of marijuana, drug paraphernalia, fined $200, assessed $250 court costs. Both cases were waived by the defendant.
• Dominic Melvin, 32, of Wilmington, possession of marijuana, fined $50, assessed $125 court costs.
• Megan Ballon, 30, of Leesburg, driving under suspension-financially, fined $125, assessed $125 court costs. An additional charge of O.V.I. suspension was dismissed.
• William Ball, 23, of Paint Lick, going 91 in a 70 mph speed zone, fined $105, assessed $125 court costs. The case was waived by the defendant.
