Driver found guilty in fatal crash

7/7/2009

A man accused of causing a Feb. 10 traffic accident that resulted in the deaths of two Otsego High School students entered pleas in the case Monday.

Glenn Walbolt, 56, of Grand Rapids, Ohio, changed his plea from not guilty to no contest on two of four counts of aggravated vehicular homicide stemming from the crash, which occurred on State Rt. 578 near U.S. 24. He was found guilty on the two charges. The other two counts are expected to be dropped at sentencing.

The revised pleas were made Monday before Judge James Bates of Lucas County Common Pleas Court, who set an Aug. 11 sentencing date.

The judge has the option of sentencing Mr. Walbolt to the maximum penalty of 16 years in prison, plus $30,000 in fines.

Authorities have said he lost control of his car on Grand Rapids Road and struck a utility pole while drunk.

David Todd, 18, and Jacob Polen, 17, both of Grand Rapids, were partially thrown from the vehicle, which Mr. Walbolt was driving north on State Rt. 578, according to the Ohio Highway Patrol.