Driver acquitted of manslaughter

staff report

AUSTINTOWN— A Warren man was acquitted on a misdemeanor charge of vehicular manslaughter in the death of a blind man.

Clement Davis, 63, appeared in Mahoning County Area Court on Wednesday, where he was found not guilty in the death of Anthony Latosky, 29, of Austintown.

Latosky was killed May 30 when Davis accidentally hit him with his garbage truck as he backed out of a private driveway. When the accident occurred, Latosky was walking north on the east side of Raccoon Road.

Davis’ attorney Phil Arbie said his client is relieved.

“My guy was found not guilty because the prosecution failed to prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt,” he said. “My client is a good man.”

Arbie said the accident was just that — an accident.

“It was an unfortunate accident, and Clement Davis really wasn’t at fault,” he said.

Arbie said the night after the trial was the first night Davis said he’s gotten any sleep since the accident happened.

“It was a horrendous thing for him to go through,” he said. “He had a lot of emotional suffering from it, and I think the jury did the right thing.”

Mahoning County Court Prosecutor Ken Cardinal was not available to comment.