Wrong-way driver found guilty for death of Toledoan on Christmas

Adam Tunison

The Blade/Dave Zapotosky
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Adam Tunison, left, was found guilty of aggravated vehicular homicide in the wrong-way crash on Christmas Day that resulted in the death of Juan Garcia, Jr., right.

A LaSalle, Mich. man pleaded no contest to aggravated vehicular homicide today in Lucas County Common Pleas Court in a wrong-way crash that killed a Toledo man on Christmas.

Adam Tunison, 42, entered the plea before Judge Frederick McDonald, who found him guilty and scheduled sentencing for July 30. Tunison faces up to eight years in prison.

Tunison was intoxicated when he drove the wrong way on I-75 between Ottawa River Road and the I-280 interchange and struck a car driven by Juan Garcia, Jr., 26, killing Mr. Garcia.

Michael Bahner, an assistant Lucas County prosecutor, told the court Tunison had consumed at least eight mixed drinks and nine shots at Chuck’s Bar and Grill on Monroe Street between 10:10 p.m. Dec. 24 and 1:18 a.m. Dec. 25. He then got into his Ford Expedition and entered the expressway going the wrong way.

Tunison, who has been held in the Lucas County jail, appeared in court in a wheelchair due to his injuries from the crash. Judge McDonald revoked his bond pending sentencing.