MAHONING COUNTY Woman who caused fatal crash wins release from prison

The woman will be allowed to return to work while she is under house arrest.
By BOB JACKSON
VINDICATOR COURTHOUSE REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- A Warren nurse who was behind the wheel in a fatal car crash has been released from prison after serving less than 50 days of a two-year sentence.
"This is a tragic event that has affected the lives of many people," said Judge James C. Evans of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court. "But we must move on."
Judge Evans had sentenced 34-year-old Ann Creekmore in October, after she pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicular homicide.
She was the driver of a car that collided with one driven by 57-year-old Sue S. Gold of North Benton on Interstate 76 in April 2001.
Letters of support
The judge said he has received several letters of support from Creekmore's friends, relatives and co-workers, which persuaded him to reconsider the prison sentence.
He amended the sentence and placed her on electronically monitored house arrest for six months, minus the 47 days she has served in prison.
"I don't think it's fair to me and my family, and I don't think it's fair to the rest of society that she should be let off so lightly," said Sue Gold's husband, Michael.
But Judge Evans said he's "absolutely convinced that Mrs. Creekmore's attention has been reached" with her incarceration. He pointed out that a background check done before sentencing indicated that probation, not prison, would have been appropriate.
Work privileges
While she is under house arrest, Creekmore will be allowed to go back to work as a nurse.
"But there will be no pleasure," the judge said. "You'll be allowed to work and return home. That's it."
At her sentencing hearing in October, Creekmore said she is the sole breadwinner for her family, working two jobs to take care of her husband and 22-month-old twins. Judge Evans said he considered that hardship in making his decision, saying he wants to help preserve her family.
"Mrs. Creekmore must be given an opportunity to establish her life again," the judge said.
Again, Michael Gold did not agree.
"As hard as prison may be for Mrs. Creekmore, it is no comparison to what happened to my wife," he said, describing his wife's horrible injuries.
Accident details
Authorities said Creekmore was speeding home from work in Akron, where she worked as a nurse, when her car struck Sue Gold's. Creekmore said she had fallen asleep at the wheel.
Gold's car went to the right and flipped end-over-end several times.
bjackson@vindy.com