FREMONT — A Kent, Ohio, man who was declared legally insane when he raced down the Ohio Turnpike, killing an elderly Toledo couple, has been committed to the Northwest Ohio Psychiatric Hospital.
Sandusky County Common Pleas Judge John Dewey ordered last week that Andrew Gans, 26, remain at the hospital in Toledo where he has been a patient since the deadly crash on Thanksgiving night in 2013.
On May 14, Judge Dewey found Gans not guilty by reason of insanity to two counts of aggravated vehicular homicide following a brief bench trial. Mr. Gans said he heard voices — including that of his dog — who were urging him to drive at speeds nearing 150 mph. His car crashed into a minivan, killing Wilbur and Margaret McCoy, both 77.
State troopers who investigated the crash estimated Gans had driven nearly 28 miles at an average speed of 149 mph before the crash occurred. There was no evidence of braking.
Sandusky County Prosecutor Tom Stierwalt said Gans’ case will be periodically reviewed to see if changes in his mental health warrant any changes in what the court considers the least restrictive environment that protects public safety and his own welfare.
Randall Dixon, an attorney who represented Mrs. McCoy’s family in civil litigation related to the case, read a statement to the court urging Judge Dewey to confine Gans to prevent another such tragedy.
“A crime was committed, and Gans, who committed that crime, has been ruled not guilty by reason of insanity,” the statement read.
“Given the circumstances surrounding this verdict, we are asking the court to use its full power to ensure that a crime like this does not happen again under similar circumstances. It is well established that Mr. Gans is a danger to the general public, and, therefore, should be given the maximum amount of time allowed by law in confinement.”
Gans had faced a maximum prison term of 10 years if convicted of the two counts.
First Published May 29, 2015, 4:00 a.m.