Driver convicted of failing to stop after accident in 2022 | News, sports, jobs

Bradden Crumrine, 21, of Lisbon, sits with his defense attorney, Rafael Villegas, during sentencing Thursday in Columbiana County Common Pleas Court for failure to stop after a 2022 accident. (Photo by Mary Ann Greier)

LISBON – An accident in 2022 that was both unfortunate and sad changed the life of a Lisbon teenager who is still suffering from his injuries and on Thursday sent the driver whose truck he fell from to jail for 60 days.

Bradden Crumrine, 21, accompanied by his defense attorney Rafael Villegas and a group of family members, appeared in the courtroom before Columbiana County Common Pleas Court Judge Scott Washam on two counts of failure to stop after an accident.

“I never wanted anything bad to happen that night” said Crumrine and said he was sorry.

Washam placed him on community control/probation for three years and required 60 days of local confinement in the county jail as part of the sentence and ordered him taken into custody immediately following the hearing. He was ordered to have no contact with the victim.

Villegas asked about work release because his client has a full-time job, but Washam said he was unaware of the prison’s policy for it and was not inclined to grant work release. He told Villegas he could submit a written request if he wanted and then the prosecution could respond.

Crumrine was originally charged with four counts of failing to stop after an accident, but agreed to plead guilty to two counts, one count a fourth-degree felony and one count a fifth-degree felony degree acted. The two remaining charges were dismissed. Because both charges were similar in nature, they were combined for sentencing, with Assistant District Attorney Steve Yacovone requesting that the sentence be based on the fourth-degree felony. He could have faced up to 18 months in prison.

“We are satisfied with the verdict and I hope that all parties can move on from there,” Yacovone said.

He made no recommendation for sentencing and left the decision to the court. Washam said the injuries in this case were unfortunate and he was sure everyone in the courtroom would prefer it not to happen. He said it was unlikely the circumstances would be repeated and, despite the victim’s injuries, he did not believe a prison sentence was appropriate.

The charges all stem from the July 24, 2022 accident that occurred after 3 a.m. on Steubenville Pike Road when then-16-year-old Ethan Samuel Hart fell from the bed of the truck driven by Crumrine and suffered serious bodily injuries.

His mother Mandy Daugherty, known as Sam to his family and friends, spoke to the court about his plans before the accident. She said he was smart, played football and planned to graduate early and join the U.S. Marines.

“Sam will never have the life he would have had.” She said.

If the vehicle hadn’t stopped behind the truck, she said “Sam wouldn’t be here today.”

Daugherty described how his injuries have affected him, how he suffers from weakness on his left side, has constant blurred vision that may require a second surgery to repair, memory loss and seizures. He was suicidal, his mother said “He felt like he had no future and no meaning to live.”

She said both she and her son are in counseling and he is taking medication that is helping.

Daugherty said the defendant left a hurt child behind and that shows his character and guilt.

Washam asked what happened and she said she was told by the other passengers and those in the other vehicle that the truck went around a corner with a bump and Sam hit the roof to force Bradden to slow down. but he didn’t. The passengers told him that Sam flew out of the back of the truck and one of the passengers began to open the door to get him to stop. Then Bradden left while one person called out to her and another held Sam.

She said they were at a party and apparently the police were called and forced everyone to leave. She said they should have called the teens’ parents to pick them up.

Washam questioned her and said Crumrine had indicated in the pre-sentence investigation that he did not know Sam was in the back of the truck, but she said “he knew.”

Washam also questioned Crumrine about the incident and he said he did not drink or take drugs and was not driving fast. He said he heard nothing on the roof while the five passengers were all talking. A passenger told him that Sam fell out and they all got out of the truck. He left but knew he had to come back, but then he received what he thought was a threatening text message, so he didn’t go back. The next day he turned himself in to the patrol.

When Villegas spoke to the court, he said his client has an extensive support system and they will not only support him but also hold him accountable. He agreed that police should have called parents instead of sending the teens off into the night. He wanted to turn around to look at Sam’s mother, but the judge told him: “You direct your comments to me.”

Villegas told Bradden “Had a moment of panic” When he saw the victim lying there, he went on patrol the next day.

“He had no intention of harming anyone.” he said.

Crumrine’s grandmother spoke on her grandson’s behalf, explaining how he grew up, played sports, graduated high school in 2021, has a full-time job and has a good heart.

“I’m really sorry for what happened and what the family went through.” She said.

Sam was in the courtroom with his mother and family but did not address the court.

Yacovone said the case was difficult and “The whole situation is sad.”

“It was an accident that could have been avoided” he said.

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