Plea given in crash fatal to 2 in South Toledo

6/13/2007

A 24-year-old Toledo man accused of causing an April 15 crash that killed two people and hurt two others entered not guilty pleas yesterday in Lucas County Common Pleas Court to charges stemming from the mishap.

Joshua Newman, of 3273 Heatherdowns Blvd., made his pleas on two counts of aggravated vehicular homicide and two counts of aggravated vehicular assault during his arraignment. Judge James Bates set an Aug. 7 trial date.

Mr. Newman is accused of driving a vehicle head on into another car at South Reynolds and Angola roads. Amanda Sarver, 26, and Robert Krempa, 33, were killed in the crash.

Critically injured were Adam Sarver, 26, and the couple's 4-year-old son, Xavier.

Authorities said Mr. Newman's southbound pickup truck crossed the center line on Reynolds and hit the Sarvers' vehicle.

Police said Mr. Newman showed signs of intoxication and failed field sobriety tests.