Man found guilty in death of former chief

Associated Press

CLEVELAND

A 21-year-old Northeast Ohio man has been found guilty of aggravated vehicular homicide and driving under the influence after being accused of running over the former Cleveland State University police chief as he changed a tire on the side of a freeway outside Cleveland in February.

Andrew Picha, 21, of the Cleveland suburb of Mayfield Heights pleaded no contest to the charges and was convicted Tuesday in the death of Lester Mitchell, 64.

Authorities say Picha was intoxicated and was driving between 80 and 110 mph when he left the roadway on Interstate 480 in Warrensville Heights and struck Mitchell.

Picha’s sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 17 in Cuyahoga County.