LISBON — A Salem man accused of causing the deaths of an elderly Salem couple in 2024 after allegedly falling asleep at the wheel entered a not guilty plea Friday to two counts of vehicular homicide.

Kaylan Latrae Jones, 26, Georgetown Road, appeared via video from the Columbiana County jail for arraignment Friday morning in Columbiana County Municipal Court before Judge Tim McNicol.

A pretrial was set for 10:45 a.m. May 4, with a $5,000 recognizance bond set, with Jones released from jail.

A secret indictment for the two first-degree misdemeanor charges was issued against Jones in November 2025 by the county grand jury, but was not served until sometime Thursday in Summit County. Secret indictments remain secret until a defendant is served with the paperwork.

With both charges misdemeanors, the case will be heard at county Municipal Court.

Richard Albert Hiner, 87, and Joanne Eileen Hiner, 89, were passengers in a 2020 Toyota Sienna driven by their daughter, Valerie Donlon, 63 at the time, of Austintown, who was northbound on Georgetown Road when Jones’ southbound car traveled left of center and hit her vehicle head-on. Both Jones and Donlon also suffered injuries in the crash.

The secret indictment said Jones allegedly caused the deaths of the Hiners negligently while operating a 2018 Ford Fusion on Sept. 21, 2024.

County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Ryan Weikart said it was his understanding that Jones was coming from work and indicated he fell asleep, traveled left of center and striking the other vehicle head-on. He said Perry Township police indicated no drugs or alcohol were involved.

The first-degree misdemeanor charge carries a maximum penalty of six months in jail.