A 24-year-old man from Minerva who led New Franklin police on a manhunt after fleeing the scene of a deadly crash took a plea deal with Summit County prosecutors last week.
Brandt Saunders pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicular homicide, a second-degree felony, failure to comply with a police officer, a third-degree felony, possession of cocaine, a felony of the fifth degree, and operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, according to court documents.
Manhunt: Man charged after manhunt in motorcycle crash that left Coventry woman dead in New Franklin
A second count of aggravated vehicular homicide was dismissed.
Saunders, represented by attorney John Greven, will be sentenced by Summit County Common Pleas Judge Christine Croce at 11 a.m. on July 29.
Man led New Franklin police on a manhunt
A New Franklin police officer spotted a motorcycle driven by Saunders headed south on Manchester Road at about 3 a.m. on Oct. 27.
The officer clocked Saunders driving at about 90 mph; with him was passenger Roseann Mauk, 40.
After attempting to stop the motorcycle, the officer lost sight of the vehicle when it turned westbound on Johns Road at a high rate of speed, officials said.
A short time later, the same officer found the motorcycle crashed at the dead end of the road. Police said Mauk was found nearby and was pronounced dead at the scene with crash-related injuries.
Saunders fled the scene. Police pursued him using a drone and, in coordination with the Summit County Sheriff's Office, found him in the nearby woods.
Bryce Buyakie covers courts and public safety for the Beacon Journal. He can be reached by email at bbuyakie@gannett.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @bryce_buyakie.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Man who fled fatal motorcycle crash, led New Franklin police on manhunt pleads guilty
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