Driver who killed man pleads guilty to felonies

84-year-old agrees to give up license for life

6/14/2014

An 84-year-old motorist who struck and killed a pedestrian in February has agreed to forfeit his driver’s license for life, his attorney told the court Friday.

At a hearing before Lucas County Common Pleas Judge Gene Zmuda, Robert W. Conboy of 4908 Monac Dr. pleaded no contest to aggravated vehicular homicide and failure to stop after an accident, both third-degree felonies punishable by up to three years in prison.

Judge Zmuda found him guilty and scheduled sentencing for July 30. Judge Zmuda allowed him to remain free on bond on the condition he continue to live with his son on Monac Drive.

The plea agreement reached with Conboy does not include a sentencing recommendation, but his attorney Thomas Douglas said Conboy had agreed not to drive again, had undergone an alcohol evaluation, and was currently undergoing follow-up appointments from that evaluation.

Frank Spryszak, an assistant Lucas County prosecutor, told the court that Conboy was driving eastbound in the 3500 block of West Alexis Road about 8:50 p.m. Feb. 12 when he struck Donald Galdys, 59, of Toledo, who was walking westbound in the eastbound curb lane.

Mr. Spryszak said a witness to the incident called 911 and followed Conboy, who did not stop but drove on to his Jamieson Drive apartment, where he was later taken into custody by police.

Mr. Galdys, who was struck by the front right side of Conboy’s vehicle, was later pronounced dead at Toledo Hospital.

“The state would have presented photographic evidence of the damage to the defendant’s windshield as well as the right front passenger headlight,” Mr. Spryszak said. “A piece of Mr. Galdys’ blue jeans was actually lodged in the damaged headlight.”

He said Conboy’s blood-alcohol content that night was 0.09, which is slightly over the legal limit of 0.08. Mr. Galdys also was intoxicated at the time, he said.

Mr. Spryszak said Conboy told police he thought he may have hit someone but wasn’t sure.

Judge Zmuda asked whether the witness saw Conboy stop or slow down after the accident.

“Not that I’m aware of,” Mr. Spryszak said.

The judge also questioned whether the sidewalk was snow-covered that night, prompting the victim to walk in the street. Mr. Spryszak said some sections were snow-covered, and other sections were shoveled but still slippery.

Contact Jennifer Feehan at: jfeehan@theblade.com or 419-213-2134.