Wickliffe High student dies

Police: Willowick resident facing charges after striking friend in parking lot

An 18-year-old Willowick resident is facing an aggravated vehicular homicide charge after striking and killing a 17-year-old Wickliffe High School student.

Wickliffe Lt. Pat Hengst said the incident occurred around 11:47 p.m., March 2, in the parking lot of Wickliffe Lanes, 30315 Euclid Ave.

Hengst said the suspect and victims were friends and “engaging in horseplay” in the parking lot. The suspect, Gary Reba, swerved his car toward the victim, Anthony Noch, intending to startle him. Hengst said something went wrong and Noch was struck by the car.

Noch was taken to the hospital but “unfortunately in spite of best efforts,” he died early March 3, Hengst said.

Hengst said both families are devastated by the incident. He said that Reba did not intend what happened, but his “reckless horseplay” resulted in someone’s death.

Reba was arraigned on a third-degree felony aggravated

(Wickliffe Lt. Pat) Hengst said the suspect and victims were friends and “engaging in horseplay” in the parking lot.

vehicular homicide charge March 4 in Willoughby Municipal Court. He was also arraigned on a minor misdemeanor reckless operation charge, according to court records. A $5,000 personal bond was set and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 13.

Reba is a 2018 graduate of North High School in Eastlake.

In a message to the Wickliffe Schools community, high school principal Brad Leyrer said their “thoughts are with this family.”

“The District has a Crisis Intervention Team made up of a professionals trained to help with the needs of students, parents, and school personnel at difficult times such as this,” Leyrer wrote. “On Monday, we will have counselors available for any student who may need or want help or any type of assistance surrounding this loss.”