Driver in fatal Anthony Wayne Trail crash sentenced to community control

7/9/2009

A Toledo driver who caused a fatal crash on the Anthony Wayne Trail in October, killing two children, was sentenced Thursday in Toledo Municipal Court to five years of community control.

Theresa Holman, 58, of 5767 Cresthaven Lane, pleaded no contest May 20 to two counts of vehicular manslaughter, both second-degree misdemeanors.

Judge Michael Goulding sentenced her to 180 days in the Corrections Center of Northwest Ohio but suspended the sentence.

He also ordered her to 200 hours of community service, continued psychological treatment, $1,500 in fines, and a two-year suspension on her driver s license.

Authorities said Ms. Holman was inbound on the Trail, just north of the Toledo Zoo, about 8:30 a.m. Oct. 20 when she lost control of her vehicle, crossed the median, and entered outbound lanes of traffic.

Zyeri White, 5, and his uncle, Devine Chatman, 11, who were both students at Harvard Elementary School in South Toledo, were killed in the crash that involved six vehicles.

Family members of the young victims were tearful during the sentencing but expressed after the fact they forgave Ms. Holman and now hoped to find closure.