Bond of $215,000 as charges in hit-skip increased to aggravated vehicular homicide

CORTLAND

Bond of $215,000 was set as charges were increased to aggravated vehicular homicide against Russell Lauer III today in Central District Court.

The charges were elevated after Brittany Szwedko,, 27, of Cortland died Tuesday.

Lauer is charged with striking Swedko with his car while intoxicated Saturday afternoon on Ridge Road in Vienna and leaving the scene.

Lauer, 43, of Cortland, kept his head down through most of the hearing.

If convicted, Lauer could get more than 11 years in prison, said Mike Burnett, assistant Trumbull County prosecutor.

Lauer has two previous drunken driving convictions, Burnett said.