Trending
LISBON -- An East Liverpool motorist accused of striking and killing a pedestrian who was crossing the street on St. Clair Avenue in 2023 is now facing a criminal charge of vehicular homicide/manslaughter.
Paul Steven Vojnovich, 69, Bank Street, appeared for arraignment Thursday morning in Columbiana County Municipal Court and entered a not guilty plea to the first-degree misdemeanor charge.
He's free on a $5,000 personal recognizance bond.
A pretrial was set for 11:30 a.m. May 5 for Vojnovich.
The accident occurred on April 7, 2023 when East Liverpool police officers responded to St. Clair Avenue near Cain Street for a pedestrian struck by a motor vehicle, with the victim identified as James Ross Schmitt, 76, of East Liverpool, who died.
According to the police affidavit, Vojnovich "acted negligently with a substantial lapse of due care when operating a motor vehicle."
The affidavit also said Vojnovich was traveling in a motor vehicle on St. Clair Avenue when striking Schmitt crossing the street, resulting in Schmitt's unlawful death.
At the time of the crash, East Liverpool police gave an indication that they did not believe alcohol or drugs were a factor.
When contacted about the case, Columbiana County Prosecutor Vito Abruzzino said the misdemeanor charge carries a possible sentence of up to six months in the county jail and a possible driver's license suspension of up to five years.