|
Updated: 1:33 PM Mar 11, 2010
Guilty Plea in Lawrence County, Ohio Crash that Killed Passenger
The driver of pickup who fled the scene of a crash that killed one of his passengers has pleaded guilty and avoided a trial.
Posted: 11:27 AM Mar 11, 2010Reporter: WSAZ News Staff Email Address: news@wsaz.com |
|
8 Comments
Font Size:
IRONTON, Ohio (WSAZ) -- The driver of pickup who fled the scene of a crash that killed one of his passengers has pleaded guilty and avoided a trial
The single-vehicle fatal accident happened on State Route 217 near Willow Wood in Lawrence County, Ohio back in October.
At the time of the accident, investigators told WSAZ.com that the truck skidded on the wet road and crashed into a utility pole.
50-year-old Wendell Bryant of Willow Wood was killed.
Prosecutors say the driver, James Ratliff, Jr., 41, of Chesapeake, Ohio fled the scene following the crash and without telling emergency crews about the accident.
Wednesday in Lawrence County Common Pleas Court, prosecutors say Ratliff pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicular homicide, driving under the influence of alcohol, and failure to stop following an accident.
Following the plea, Ratliff was sentenced to a total of 7 years in jail.
A published report says members of Bryant’s family addressed the court before the judge sentenced Ratliff. Ratliff did not speak to the victim’s family. His attorney says his client was remorseful according to the report.
Latest Comments
Posted by: Old friend of Buck Bryant
on Mar 19, 2010 at 06:09 PM
I am in suck shock i had no idea, was lookin at the ohio news and saw this.Well i knew all 3 of them and drinkin was a thing they always done, not able 2 stand and i have sceen alot of them gettin into cars, but could not even walk....Sad to hear my Prayers go out to buck's family. Coming from W.V. R.I.P my love goes out to his family.....
Posted by: concerned
on Mar 12, 2010 at 02:34 PM
I read where his lawyer said he was sorry to the family,was he sorry before he drank the alcohol was he sorry when he left two people in a wrecked truck that he claimed to be friends with or his he sorry that they finally caught up with his sorry behinde and they were able to sentence him to only seven years.He called his self a friend I hate to see if he was their enemy.I know he could have called 911 and not just left these injured people to fend for themselves.Strangers will stop and offer assistance to people in a wreck as I'm sure they would have done for even him but he thought only of himself and left these two people and one died he deserves more than what he recieved.I guess now everyone knows what he thinks of his friends.
Posted by: dee
on Mar 12, 2010 at 04:05 AM
I THINK IT IS PRETTY SAID THAT THIS GUY KILLED SOMEONE AND ONLY GOT 7 YEARS BUT SOMEONE CAN GET CAUGHT FOR DRUGS OR CHILD ABUSE AND GO TO JAIL FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES.SO I GUESS THEY THOUGHT THAT WAS A HARD ENOUGH JAIL TERM. BUT I DONT THINK SO BECAUSE HE WILL GET OUT AND DO THE SAME THING AGAIN AND NEXT TIME IT MIGHT BE SOMEONES KID THAT GETS KILLED NEXT TIME.
More Stories
$310,000,000
Live Feed Now on the Always On Channel
|
|
|
Popular Searches Powered by Local.com |
WSAZ.com Most Popular / Most Comments
- UPDATE: Two More Arrests in Parking Lot Armed Robbery
- Convicted Sex Offender Wanted
- Three Aging W.Va. Power Plants Closing
- IRS Warns to Expect Some Refund Delays
- NASCAR Racer Visits Charleston
- UPDATE: Man Charged in Violent Armed Robbery at Huntington Bar
- St. Albans Man Arrested in Large Drug Bust
- Metheny Still Missing
- UPDATE: Man Dies in Early Morning Fire in McArthur, Ohio
- Residents Hopeful Dunbar Police Will Move to New Neighborhood
- UPDATE: Vigil for Missing 3-Year-Old Girl
430 Comments - UPDATE: New Chief Deputy in Mason County Releases Department Mission Statement
148 Comments - UPDATE: Mother Awaiting Sentence Faces More Trouble
61 Comments - UPDATE: Some Questions Remain Unanswered in Deadly CO Leak
48 Comments - UPDATE: Man Accused of Victimizing Elderly Found Guilty of Kidnapping; Victim Dies
40 Comments - UPDATE: Two More Arrests in Parking Lot Armed Robbery
24 Comments
CNN.com News Headlines
- Embattled LA school set to reopen
- Same-sex marriage OK'd in Washington
- Mississippi pardons to be challenged at court hearing
- Authorites probe 911 response to Josh Powell's home
- Official: Suspect in 'South Park' threats to plead guilty
- Rutgers student's suicide shouldn't define him, brother says
- University of Florida suspends fraternity for 'physical hazing incident'
- Victim in Atlanta video beating to speak out
- The deadly path to legal status
- Sound recordings amend history
- Deep freeze puts strain on Ukrainian EMS
- Spy agency called before Pakistani high court
- Court suspends Spain's most famous judge
- Deposed president faces arrest in the Maldives
- Greek leaders ready to back austerity deal
- More than 700 suffer food poisoning after Mexico rally
- Officials: Drone strike kills 4 in Pakistan
- Asylum or 'medical leave' for Chinese crime buster?
- UK: 'No negotiations' on Falklands
- Betting on Olympians -- for charity
- Band camp, other clubs suspended
- Champion remembered at event
- More members accused of hazing
- Sandusky urged to stay inside
- Words matter in Penn State case
- Out-of-county jury for Sandusky?
- 4th accuser drops abuse allegations
- Accuser pleads guilty to child sex
- Attorney: Victims to sue university
- Miss. high court considers pardons
- Live Blog: Tiger Woods at Pebble Beach Pro-AM
- Pebble Beach Pro-Am Round 1 scores
- Don Banks: Biggest offseason questions in the NFL
- Seth Davis: Eustachy's second chance could lead Southern Miss to NCAAs
- Rivers, Duke sink Tar Heels at buzzer
- Leafs, Wings set for '13 Winter Classic
- Report: Manning still unable to make most throws
- Syracuse earns OT win vs. Hoyas
- Memphis joining Big East in 2013
- Lin dazzles again as Knicks win
WSAZ.com Sponsor Sections & Links
 |
SOMC
Very good things are happening here. Click here to learn more |
 |
Click here for school closings and delays |
 |
Watch the Lottery Live Monday - Saturday @ 6:59pm on WSAZ NewsChannel 3. Need to check your numbers? Click here. |
 |
Watch the Ohio Lottery Drawings weeknights @ 7:29pm and Cash Explosion Saturday @ 7:30pm on WSAZ NewsChannel 3. |
 |
Click here to donate and help WSAZ help children at risk in our region. Thank you. |
 |
Click here to see how our partners are making Moms and women's lives easier. |
First Warning Hour-By-Hour Forecasts
