Man pleads not guilty in crash

8/11/2004

TIFFIN - A Toledo man pleaded not guilty yesterday in Seneca County Common Pleas Court to two felony and two misdemeanor charges in connection with a crash in June on U.S. 23 that killed a Fostoria woman.

Ken Egbert, Jr., Seneca County prosecutor, said that Martin T. Rickman, 21, entered the not guilty pleas on one count each of aggravated vehicular homicide and leaving the scene of a motor vehicular collision, both felonies, and on one count each of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and driving under suspension, both misdemeanors.

Mr. Rickman, also charged with a probation violation as a result of the crash, was indicted by a Seneca County grand jury last week.

The indictments stem from the death of Tiffany K. Day, 19, who was a passenger in a van driven by Mr. Rickman. Authorities said Mr. Rickman was southbound on U.S. 23 at high speed when he tried to pass another vehicle in a no-passing zone. The van hit the other vehicle at least twice and a traffic sign, fire hydrant, and utility pole before it rolled over.

Common Pleas Judge Michael P. Kelbley granted the request by Mr. Rickman's defense attorney to reduce the $150,000 cash bond set in Fostoria Municipal Court. Mr. Rickman was held in Seneca County jail last night in lieu of a $75,000 bond, with a 10 percent posting allowance. The judge will set a trial date next week.