The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Driver in fatal crash pleads guilty
A 22-year-old Lorain woman pleaded guilty Sept. 7 to charges connected to a crash that killed a man and injured a woman in 2016.
Cleonna Dunseth struggled to hold back tears as she was told that she likely would have to serve five years in prison for the crash that took the life of 62-year-old Mel Rush in January 2016.
Dunseth pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated vehicular homicide, three counts of OVI and a single count each of aggravated vehicular assault, vehicular assault and driving under suspension which has a mandatory sentence of at least five years, but can lead to up to 17 years in prison.
Lorain County Common Pleas Judge Christopher R. Rothgery said the charges also warrant a lifetime license suspension and up to $37,075 in fines. There is a mandatory fine of $375 for the OVI charges.
At 10 p.m. Jan. 15, 2016, Dunseth was traveling westbound in her white Chevrolet Malibu on West
23rd Street in Lorain when she failed to obey a stop sign and was struck by a Lincoln Town Car heading south on Oakdale Avenue, according to police.
Dunseth’s car spun out of control striking Rush and a 28-year-old woman
who were leaving a market in the 500 block of West 23rd Street., according to police.
Rush was pronounced dead at the scene, while the female victim was treated for “cuts, scratches and a broken leg,” police said.
According to police, Dunseth was taken to Mercy Hospital, 3700 Kolbe Road, and later flown to Metro Health Medical Center for treatment.
She had a blood alcohol level below the legal limit of .08 as well as marijuana in her system at the time of the crash, police said.
Contrary to common practice, Rothgery did not sentence Dunseth at the plea hearing. He will hand down the penalty at 10 a.m., Oct. 25, saying he was giving her time with her infant child before she is incarcerated.
Rothgery warned Dunseth not to miss the sentencing hearing, because it would lead to a stiffer sentence.
“If you want the sentence we discussed, well I know you don’t want it, but if you’re hoping that’s the best you can do, keep in mind it could be worse; substantially worse,” he said.
Rothgery said if Dunseth commits another offense, tests positive for drugs or alcohol, or fails to cooperate with the probation department, she would receive a harsher penalty.
“I know when you wake up that morning, it is going to be hard to be here that day,” he said. “That’s why in most cases like this, I go directly to sentencing.
“But I’m giving you the opportunity to spend this time with your child. Be with her for her birthday.”