Second Ohio Woman Dies As The Result of Stop Sign Prank
September 9, 2011
A second woman who had been injured in a crash at a Circleville, Ohio stop sign, concealed with petroleum jelly and plastic wrap as a prank, died Tuesday after being hospitalized for several weeks.
Jeanne Shea, 81, of Circleville, was injured on August 17, 2011, when she drove through the hidden stop sign at Huber-Hitler Road and state Route 56 East, colliding with another vehicle. Shea’s passenger, her 85-year-old sister Mary Spangler, died in the crash.
Authorities say two men, Seth R. Stonerock, 19, of Stoutsville, and Derek W. Greenlee, 18, of Circleville, covered the sign as a prank. Both men have pleaded not guilty to counts of involuntary manslaughter.
Ohio Revised Code Section 2903.04, entitled Involuntary Manslaughter, states in part:
(B) No person shall cause the death of another or the unlawful termination of another’s pregnancy as a proximate result of the offender’s committing or attempting to commit a misdemeanor of any degree, a regulatory offense, or a minor misdemeanor other than a violation of any section contained in Title XLV of the Revised Code that is a minor misdemeanor and other than a violation of an ordinance of a municipal corporation that, regardless of the penalty set by ordinance for the violation, is substantially equivalent to any section contained in Title XLV of the Revised Code that is a minor misdemeanor.
(C) Whoever violates this section is guilty of involuntary manslaughter. Violation of division (A) of this section is a felony of the first degree. Violation of division (B) of this section is a felony of the third degree.
Stonerock and Greenlee were also charged with tampering with a traffic control device, a misdemeanor, making them eligible to be charged with third degree felonies under Section 2903.04(B). If convicted, Stonerock and Greelee could fact anywhere from one to five years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.00.
If you have been charged with a crime or have questions regarding Ohio’s criminal law, a knowledgeable Criminal Attorney can provide you with the answers you need. For legal advice or information, contact the experienced Atttorneys of DiCaudo, Pitchford & Yoder today.