Plea changed in accident case

By: 
Larry Limpf

A sentencing hearing is scheduled for July 29 in Wood County Common Pleas Court in the case of an Elmore woman who was indicted for failure to stop after an accident.
During a hearing Tuesday, Kelly L. DeStazio, 47, waived her right to a trial and changed her plea of not guilty to guilty.
Under an agreement between DeStazio and the Wood County prosecutor’s office, she withdrew her plea of not guilty and entered a plea of guilty to two counts of failure to stop after an accident. Both are fifth degree felony charges. The prosecutor‘s office has said it will dismiss two counts of failure to stop at the sentencing hearing. The counts to be dropped are fourth degree felonies.
DeStazio faces a maximum prison term of 12 months and a fine of up to $2,500 for each count. In addition, the court may impose financial sanctions for restitution, court costs, and other expenses. The court may also revoke her driving privileges for at least six months up to three years.
The charges stem from an Oct. 15, 2021 accident in Lake Township that injured two youths on Ayers Road. The two were pushing a motorized bicycle along the eastbound lane of the road when they were struck from behind by DeStazio’s auto. Both youths suffered broken legs and other injuries.
Three days later, the Ohio Highway Patrol received an anonymous call saying that a neighbor of the caller could be involved in the hit-and-run accident and the suspected vehicle was parked on Clinton Street in Elmore.
A warrant was issued to have the vehicle towed to the Fremont Highway Patrol post for inspection. Investigators were able to match a GM serial number for a part to a car model the same as the DeStazio vehicle.
There aren’t street lights on the portion of Ayers Road where the accident occurred, according to the accident report, and the motor bike didn’t have lights or reflectors.
The Lake Township Police Department assisted in the investigation.

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