‘I lost my best friend:’ Family addresses court before judge sentences 87-year-old driver in fatal crash

BROOKFIELD, Ohio (WKBN) — An 87-year-old woman who pleaded guilty to causing a March 8 crash that killed a Sharpsville, Pa., man was sentenced Thursday to 30 days of house arrest in Trumbull County Eastern District Court. Elspeth McKeag received the sentence from Judge Marty Nosich following a guilty plea May 19 to a charge of vehicular manslaughter, a second-degree misdemeanor. McKeag was accused of causing a crash that took the life of David A. Rice, 62, at state Route 82 and Addison Avenue. The charge was filed March 23 by the Ohio State Highway Patrol. The maximum sentence for a second-degree misdemeanor is 90 days in jail and a $750 fine. Francis Rice, the victim’s wife, told the judge that they had just celebrated her husband’s birthday and he was going to get gas for his motorcycle. His granddaughter, Angelina, went with him when the crash occurred.  They were going to continue the celebrations, Francis Rice said, “but he never came home.” “He was my best friend. He was my love,” Francis Rice said. Francis Rice said she also has cancer and her husband was her caregiver.  Francis Rice said it was the negligence of McKeag that caused her husband’s death. She said she believes that McKeag should never be allowed to drive again. “She ruined our life,” Francis Rice said. Rice’s granddaughter showed the judge her X-Rays. She described her injuries, and she has a chain in her pelvis as well as various pins. “I lost my grandfather. I lost my best friend,” she said. “I couldn’t go to prom. I couldn’t graduate.” She said Rice took custody of her when she was 4 and later her brother, and that he raised them. She said she never saw McKeag slow down. “I never saw her yield. I never saw her turn signal,” she said. “The next thing I know is I was in the hospital three days later.” The patrol said in a news release McKeag was trying to turn left onto Addison Road. The patrol said a car driven by McKeag crossed the westbound lanes of state Route 82 when a motorcycle driven by Rice collided with her car. Both Francis Rice and her granddaughter said they were upset that David Rice’s blood was tested because he was on a motorcycle, but they said McKeag’s blood was never tested to see if she was on any medications that could have affected her ability to drive. Assistant Prosecutor Deena DeVico said that McKeag’s blood was tested and she was not charged with a felony because she was not under the influence of any substance. Two people spoke on behalf of McKeag. Larry Etheredge, who heads up a church that McKeag has attended for over 40 years, said the courtroom wasn’t big enough to hold all the people McKeag has helped over the years. “The parking lot wouldn’t be big enough,” he said. Mary Ellen Rodrigues told the judge she has known McKeag for over 40 years. Rodrigues said she was with McKeag after the crash and that McKeag was very remorseful “from the time she got out of bed in the morning to the time she goes to bed at night.” “She kept telling me she didn’t see him,” Rodrigues said. At one point, Rodrigues was telling the judge how McKeag was hurt also and that she tried to help Rice at the scene but Francis Rice kept shaking her head.  McKeag said, “You have no idea how sorry… I never, ever, ever wanted to hurt any of you. I am so, so, sorry. There really are no words, but with all my heart, I love each and every one of you, and for the grief you’re going through I am so, so sorry.” A man in the courtroom could be heard saying, “I wish Dave could hear that,” while another woman thanked her for her apology. Her attorney, Brandon Keating, said Rice’s death was a tragic accident and her driving record is almost spotless except for one citation. “This was just a very unfortunate accident,” Keating said. Keating also said McKeag has already agreed not to drive. When asked for a sentencing recommendation, DeVico said she did not have one. “There are no right answers here, your honor,” DeVico said. She did say her license should be suspended for as long as possible. Judge Nosich sentenced McKeag to 90 days in jail, with 60 suspended and the remaining 30 days to be on house arrest. She was also fined $500 and placed on probation. The judge suspended her license for two years, the maximum suspension he could give.