Suspect in fatal Streetsboro crash is in custody

A Bedford Heights man charged in a March head-on crash that killed a Kent man in Streetsboro is in custody.

Devonte Cordelro Anthony , 34, was arraigned Wednesday in Portage County Common Pleas Court. Judge Becky Doherty set a $100,000 cash or surety bond.

Anthony was booked early Wednesday into the Portage County Jail, according to a jail booking report.

Streetsboro police say Anthony was driving northbound about 6:35 a.m. March 14 on State Route 43, not far north of the city's south line, when he allegedly crossed the center line to pass several other vehicles and collided with a southbound 2010 Honda Accord driven by 63-year-old George D. Shiner. Police said the crash occurred at the crest of a hill, making it difficult for the two men to see each other's vehicles in time to avoid a crash.

The Streetsboro Fire Department extracted Shiner from his car and Kent EMS took him to University Hospitals Portage Medical Center, where he died. Streetsboro EMS took Anthony to Summa Akron City Hospital with serious injuries.

Following an investigation, a Portage County grand jury indicted Anthony in mid-September on two charges of aggravated vehicular homicide, two counts of misdemeanor operating a vehicle under the influence and a single count of minor misdemeanor driving left of center. The indictment specifies that the alleged offense was committed "recklessly" while Anthony allegedly was under the influence of marijuana.

Streetsboro police posted Wednesday about the crash on Facebook, and included photos of the two destroyed vehicles.

"You can't tell but the cars pictured here are both Honda Accords," the post says. "If you are considering getting behind the wheel while you are impaired, remember these pictures and especially the black car. That is the kind of devastation you can leave behind."

The black vehicle belonged to Shiner, the victim.

A jury trial is currently scheduled to begin Nov. 19, with a discovery hearing scheduled for Oct. 16, and a pretrial hearing on Nov. 5.

Anthony's attorney did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment.

Reporter Jeff Saunders can be reached at jsaunders@recordpub.com.

This article originally appeared on Record-Courier: Suspect in fatal Streetsboro crash is in custody