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Alliance woman pleads guilty to fatal crash charges
YOUNGSTOWN
A 21-year-old Alliance woman pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges related to a February traffic accident in which a 45-year-old woman died and her mother was seriously injured.
Samantha Yoder, 21, appeared Tuesday before Judge Robert Douglas of Youngstown Municipal Court for what was intended to be a pretrial hearing, but attorneys reached a plea agreement to resolve the case.
Yoder is charged with vehicular homicide and failure to obey a traffic control device.
Susan Welsh was killed in the Feb. 14 accident at Fifth and Rayen avenues on the city’s North Side. Her mother, 79-year-old Elaine Welsh, was injured.
Susan Welsh was a passenger in a car driven by her mother. The Welsh car was traveling westbound on Rayen about 3 p.m. Yoder, attending nearby Youngstown State University, was traveling southbound on Fifth when she struck the car containing the Welsh women.
Elaine Welsh was taken to St. Elizabeth Health Center.
Susan Welsh died two days later.
Yoder pleaded guilty to both charges against her in the plea agreement. She faces a maximum of six months in jail and a $1,150 fine.
Atty. Derek Lowry, representing Yoder, said his client would not make a statement until her July 23 sentencing, but she is happy to have finally had the opportunity to speak with the Welsh family.
“She was grateful to have the opportunity to apologize to the family today and help bring them further closure,” Lowry said after the plea hearing.
It was an emotional time in court for Yoder, who appeared with several members of her family, as well as the Welsh family who were also present in court.
Members of the Welsh and Yoder families quietly shed tears on opposite sides of the courtroom, before Yoder crossed the aisle and hugged members of the Welsh family.
There were quiet words and more hugs as Yoder spoke to the three members of the Welsh family.
Kathleen Thompson, an assistant city prosecutor, said the prosecutor’s office, under the plea agreement, will recommend Yoder be placed on five years’ probation, pay a maximum fine and have her driver’s license suspended for five years.
Thompson told the court she has spoken with the Welsh family extensively and the recommendation falls in line with their wishes.