Man charged in the deaths of Marine recruits remains free

Photo

Donald P. Williams

Staff report

WARREN

Donald P. Williams Jr. of Austintown, charged with aggravated vehicular homicide and aggravated vehicular assault in the deaths of three Marine Corps recruits March 31, remains free on $50,000 bond.

Williams was charged in a superseding indictment last week with additional charges that could lead to a prison term of up to 40 years. His original indictment had a maximum penalty of 191/2 years.

In court Wednesday, Mike Burnett, assistant county prosecutor, asked Judge Andrew Logan of Trumbull County Common Pleas Court for Williams’ bond to be increased to $250,000, but Judge Logan refused.

The judge did further restrict Williams’ travel to within Ohio, however.

Previously, Williams, 45, of Bainbridge Avenue, was prohibited from driving a tractor-trailer and was allowed only to drive to work within 100 miles of his home.

Williams’ newest charges say he was “drug drunk” on Valium and a similar drug, Nordiazepam, while listening to heavy-metal music and speeding.

His tractor-trailer cab hit the back of a vehicle containing the recruits that was stopped at the intersection of state Route 5 and Burnett Street just west of Warren.

Williams’ arraignment was changed from today to Wednesday to accommodate the schedule of Williams’ attorney, J. Gerald Ingram, court officials said.

Williams is scheduled for his next pretrial hearing Jan. 11.