LISBON — A Salem man accused of causing the deaths of an elderly Salem couple in 2024 after allegedly falling asleep at the wheel is scheduled to face a jury trial Aug. 6.

Kaylan Latrae Jones, 26, Georgetown Road, appeared in Columbiana County Municipal Court for a pretrial Monday before Judge Tim McNicol. He was represented by defense attorney Charley Kidder, who was there on behalf of Jones’ defense attorney Zachary Miller.

Attorneys for both the prosecution and defense had agreed to request a second pretrial, but McNicol said he would set dates for a status conference hearing and a jury trial. The status conference hearing was set for 10:30 a.m. July 29.

Jones is facing two counts of vehicular homicide, a first-degree misdemeanor, for allegedly causing the deaths of Richard Albert Hiner, 87, and Joanne Eileen Hiner, 89, during a two-vehicle crash on Sept. 21, 2024 on Georgetown Road.

The Hiners 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, a 2018 Ford Fusion, traveled left of center and hit her vehicle head-on. Both Jones and Donlon also suffered injuries in the crash.

A secret indictment against Jones was issued by the county grand jury in November 2025 but he wasn’t served with the paperwork until February this year. The case was transferred to Municipal Court since both charges are misdemeanors. He remains free under a $5,000 recognizance bond.

County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Ryan Weikart said previously that it was his understanding that Jones was coming from work and indicated he fell asleep, traveled left of center and struck 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.

Jones was accompanied by one person who sat in the courtroom during the hearing Monday. Multiple family members of the victims were also present in the courtroom.