Trial averted by plea in pedestrian death of Antoinette Ross

WARREN

A jury trial planned for Monday in Warren Municipal Court on charges filed against Patrick M. Niess, 21, of Warren in the death of pedestrian Antoinette Ross last December has been averted by his no-contest plea.

Niess, of Edgewood Street Northeast, on Wednesday pleaded no contest to misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter, a crime punishable by up to 90 days in jail and up to a $750 fine. He will be sentenced at 1:30 p.m. Nov. 12.

Investigators with the Ohio State Highway Patrol said Niess was driving west on King Graves Road at 9:52 p.m. Dec. 8 when he apparently fell asleep and drove off the road and into a ditch.

His vehicle traveled about 450 more feet before coming to a stop after hitting two culverts and a road sign. But shortly after his car left the road, he hit Ross, 55, of Sanctuary Trail in Howland, who investigators say was walking along the edge of the road.

Howland police didn’t realize at the time that a pedestrian was involved in the accident. The next morning, workers on a garbage truck saw Ross’ body in the ditch and called 911. Investigators believe Niess didn’t know he hit Ross.

Read more about the case and plea in Friday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.