Oregon man pleads no contest to killing woman in wrong-way crash

5/3/2010

An Oregon man charged with causing the Dec. 26 wrong-way crash that killed a nurse on her way to work entered a plea in Lucas County Common Pleas Court Monday.

Rickey Miller, Jr, 31, pleaded no contest to one count of aggravated vehicular homicide for the death of Sarah Heator, 32. He faces up to ten years in prison and a lifetime driver's license suspension when sentenced June 10 by Judge Ruth Ann Franks.

Miller was driving the wrong way on I-475 when he collided head-on with Ms. Heator's eastbound vehicle. Both drivers had to be mechanically extracted from their vehicles.

Ms. Heator was pronounced dead at the scene of the 2:50 a.m. crash as a result of severe head and chest trauma.

According to Assistant County Prosecutor Andy Lastra, two tests of blood taken from Miller within two hours of the crash resulted in a 0.25 percent and 0.21 percent blood-alcohol content. Under Ohio law, a driver is considered driving under the influence with a blood-alcohol level of 0.08 percent.

Miller, who had a portion of one leg amputated as a result of the crash, continues to receive medical treatment. He declined to comment after the hearing Monday.

Several of Ms. Heator's family attended the plea. They declined to comment.