Not-guilty plea entered in death of pedestrian

11/21/2012
BLADE STAFF

A Toledo man who in July lost control of his vehicle and struck two pedestrians, killing one, pleaded not guilty Tuesday in Lucas County Common Pleas Court to criminal charges.

Michael Yates, 41, of Ironwood Avenue was arraigned on one count each of aggravated vehicular homicide and vehicular assault. He faces up to 13 years in prison if convicted.

Judge Myron Duhart set a Dec. 11 court date.

Stefanie Arnold, 27, of Painesville in northeast Ohio, was pronounced dead at the scene, and Chelsea Skoch, 23, of Madison, also in northeast Ohio, was injured.

Police said Mr. Yates lost control of his vehicle about 8:20 p.m. July 21 while driving east on Miami Street near the northbound I-75 exit ramp. The vehicle swerved off the right side of the road, hitting the two women, who were walking west on the sidewalk on the south side of the street near the Days Inn.