Preliminary hearing postponed because victim hit by car died

STAFF REPORT

SHARON, Pa. — The preliminary hearing has been postponed for a woman charged with aggravated assault after being accused of deliberately hitting a man with her car.

The man, Ziba Dilley Jr., 62, of Fourth Avenue here, died Oct. 12 of injuries sustained Oct. 9, city police reported.

Elayne Stano, 48, of Warren, remained in the Mercer County Jail on Tuesday with bond set at $250,000.

Assistant Prosecutor Cynthia Orpen told District Magistrate Henry Russo on Tuesday that charges against Stano will likely be amended to include accident involving death or injury and possibly homicide by vehicle.

Police Capt. Travis Martwinski said officials are waiting for a report from the Cuyahoga County coroner’s office, where Dilley’s body was sent, before new charges are filed.

Orpen said the district attorney’s office objects to any bond reduction, because Stano has ties in Ohio and Missouri.

Stano surrendered to Sharon Police on Oct. 14, Martwinski said.

The night Dilley was injured, police were called to the 200 block of First Avenue around 8:30 p.m. Oct. 9, said police Chief Michael Menster.

Menster said officers found Dilley lying in the road, bleeding from his head.

Menster said the two had been arguing, with Stano in her car and Dilley in front of her. Stano accelerated, hit Dilley, then fled, Menster said. No new date was set for the preliminary hearing.