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A 23-year-old Lake Township woman will face a misdemeanor charge in connection with the June 6 traffic death of a Jackson Township man.
Hillary Hurtt, of 8705 Grimes Ave. NW, was driving northbound on Frank Avenue NW at about 8:45 p.m. when her car struck the rear of a motorcycle that had stopped to make a left turn.
The motorcycle driver, Thomas Maguire, 62, was thrown off his bike and into the path of a southbound vehicle and dragged for a short distance. He died at the scene.
Police Chief David Zink said the case was referred to the Stark County Prosecutor’s Office because there was information that Hurtt was distracted on a cellphone at the time.
Although using a cellphone was not illegal, the circumstances of an incident can change how it may be regarded, Zink said.
“That’s why we wanted to present the case to a grand jury,” Zink said.
A Stark County grand jury recently indicted Hurtt on a vehicular homicide charge. It’s a first-degree misdemeanor that can result in probation or a jail term of up to six months with a conviction.
Her initial court appearance will be Friday at 8:45 a.m. in Massillon Municipal Court.
A 23-year-old Lake Township woman will face a misdemeanor charge in connection with the June 6 traffic death of a Jackson Township man.
Hillary Hurtt, of 8705 Grimes Ave. NW, was driving northbound on Frank Avenue NW at about 8:45 p.m. when her car struck the rear of a motorcycle that had stopped to make a left turn.
The motorcycle driver, Thomas Maguire, 62, was thrown off his bike and into the path of a southbound vehicle and dragged for a short distance. He died at the scene.
Police Chief David Zink said the case was referred to the Stark County Prosecutor’s Office because there was information that Hurtt was distracted on a cellphone at the time.
Although using a cellphone was not illegal, the circumstances of an incident can change how it may be regarded, Zink said.
“That’s why we wanted to present the case to a grand jury,” Zink said.
A Stark County grand jury recently indicted Hurtt on a vehicular homicide charge. It’s a first-degree misdemeanor that can result in probation or a jail term of up to six months with a conviction.
Her initial court appearance will be Friday at 8:45 a.m. in Massillon Municipal Court.
