Man pleads innocent in hit-and-run that killed 14-year-old Hubbard girl

The defendant was released after posting a $50,000 bond.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- A 69-year-old Hubbard Township man pleaded innocent in the April 4 hit-skip accident that killed a 14-year-old girl.
William Demidovich entered the plea Friday before Judge W. Wyatt McKay of Trumbull County Common Pleas Court to charges of aggravated vehicular homicide while driving under the influence of alcohol and or drugs, aggravated vehicular assault, and felony hit-skip.
If convicted of all the charges, Demidovich could face up to 14 years in prison.
The Trumbull County grand jury secretly indicted the retired high school teacher Thursday.
Demidovich, who declined to comment, was released Friday after posting a $50,000 bond. He is scheduled to return to court Sept. 10.
Ken Bailey, an assistant county prosecutor, also asked that as a condition of bond, Demidovich not be allowed to drive. The judge agreed.
What police said
The Ohio State Highway Patrol has said Demidovich was drinking and playing pool at the VFW Post 3767 on West Liberty Street in Hubbard before the crash.
Troopers have said Demidovich was the driver of a red Lincoln Continental that plowed into teenage girls who were walking along state Route 304 in front of Pine Lakes Golf Course.
Killed was Kyrsten Studer of Grandview Avenue. Five other girls, all 14 or 15, were treated at area hospitals.
"It was a nightmare," said Chelsea Farcas, a sophomore at Hubbard High School, who was with Kyrsten the night of the crash.
Chelsea and Amanda Prommersberger, another of the crash victims, attended the court hearing Friday.
Both teens wiped away tears as they watched Demidovich leave the courtroom.
"We wish we could still have Kyrsten here," Amanda said. "This hearing makes us realize she will not come back."
sinkovich@vindy.com