Szwedko family holds up pictures as driver makes court appearance

CORTLAND — Russell Lauer III, held his head low throughout his preliminary hearing this morning in Central District Court as people in the courtroom behind him held up photos of Brittany Szwedko,the young runner who died last week after being hit by a car on Ridge Road.

Lauer, 43, of Cortland, is accused of being the driver who killed her. He is charged with aggravated vehicular homicide, drunken driving, leaving the scene of an accident and a lane violation.

His attorney waived the right to have prosecutors prove probable cause that he committed the offenses, and Judge Thomas Campbell bound the case over to a Trumbull County grand jury.

Lauer remains in the Trumbull County jail in lieu of $215,000 bond. He was brought to court for Monday's hearing and stood silently beside his attorney, Roger Bauer of the Ohio Public Defender's office.

Szwedko, 27, of Cortland, died Tuesday of her injuries, suffered Saturday afternoon while running on Ridge Road in Fowler in preparation for this past Sunday's Mill Creek Distance Classic half marathon and 5K.

Members of her family ran in the event to honor her.