By MARK TODD - mtodd@starbeacon.com
Star Beacon
CONNEAUT —
A Concord woman pleaded not guilty Tuesday to a charge of vehicular homicide stemming from the traffic death of a veteran Ashtabula County sheriff’s deputy, according to Conneaut Municipal Court spokeswoman.
Laura Zehner, 38, 8184 Timberlane Drive, appeared with attorney Timothy Sterkle of Cleveland one week in advance of the Aug. 3 date set earlier this month. Zehner is scheduled to return to court Aug. 16 for a pre-trial hearing, the spokeswoman said.
Deputy Joseph DeFazio II, 66, died June 11 at Hamot Medical Center in Erie, Pa., from injuries suffered in a car-motorcycle crash on Lake Road in Conneaut that happened May 27. He had served with the sheriff’s department since 1982.
DeFazio was driving his motorcycle east on Lake when he was struck by a vehicle driven by Zehner, Conneaut police said. Zehner was attempting a left hand turn onto Lake from Mill Street when the vehicles collided, police said.
Zehner reportedly stopped for a stop sign at the intersection, but then proceeded onto Lake Road, officers said. DeFazio’s wife, Kathryn, was a passenger on the motorcycle but escaped serious injury, police said.
The charge is a first-degree misdemeanor, which carries a maximum penalty of six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.
