MOUNT VERNON — A Danville woman will serve a four-year prison term for her role in the death of Angela R. Heldenbrand, 41, on Nov. 14, 2009.
Vicci L. Sapp, 46, Danville, was convicted of aggravated vehicular homicide and operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol. Sapp was sentenced to a four-year mandatory prison term making her ineligible for early release. Sapp’s driver’s license was also suspended for life.
Knox County Common Pleas Court Judge Otho Eyster imposed the sentence on Friday.
Knox County Prosecutor John Thatcher said at approximately 1:30 a.m., Sapp was driving eastbound on U.S. 62 near Danville, and Heldenbrand was a passenger in her motor vehicle. Sapp crashed into and rolled over a guardrail ejecting Heldenbrand from the automobile. Dr. Jennifer Ogle, Knox County Coroner, pronounced Heldenbrand dead at the scene of the crash.
The level of alcohol in Sapp’s urine was 0.240 grams. Thatcher said the legal limit is eleven-hundredths of one gram.
Sapp was also ordered to pay over $10,000 in restitution to the victim’s family.
Trooper Matthew Them, Ohio State Highway Patrol, investigated the case.
Logan L. Hammons, 23, Brinkhaven, was convicted of vehicular assault. Hammons was sentenced to a one-year mandatory prison term making him ineligible for early release. Hammons’ driver’s license was also suspended for one year.
Thatcher said on May 3 at approximately 4:30 p.m., Hammons was driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, on U.S. 62 near Danville, and Amy Oyster, 38, was a passenger in his vehicle. Hammons rear-ended another vehicle, and Oyster was injured as a result of the crash. On June 25, Hammons was convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs and failing to maintain an assured cleared distance ahead, in the Mount Vernon Municipal Court. Trooper Them investigated the case.
On Feb. 12, Hammons was convicted in the KCCPC of aggravated assault for breaking a 25-year-old man’s nose, on March 28, 2009. Hammons admitted that he violated the conditions of his community control supervision when he was charged and convicted of the DUI and other offenses resulting from the May 3 crash, and for consuming alcohol and drugs. Eyster imposed the suspended 17-month prison sentence Hammons received for the aggravated assault conviction.
Geoffrey S. Hinkle, 24, Mount Vernon, was convicted of obstructing official business and was sentenced to 11 months in prison. Thatcher said on Nov. 17, 2009, Hinkle failed to confine his pit bull while Mount Vernon police officers were at his residence investigating a domestic violence complaint. Knox County Animal Control Officer Larry Williams investigated the case.
Corey A. Werfield, 19, was convicted of grand theft of a motor vehicle and sentenced to 17 months in prison. Thatcher said on March 22, Werfield stole a Danville resident’s 2008 Ford pickup truck. Werfield was also ordered to pay $239.63 in restitution to the victim. Deputy Max Huffman of the Knox County Sheriff’s Office, recovered the stolen truck on April 2.
Jessica R. Bayless, 22, Mount Vernon, was convicted of receiving stolen property and forgery for forging a stolen check at a grocery store on Sept. 5, 2009. Bayless was sentenced to a three-year term of community control supervision, including a 60-day jail sentence and mandatory drug and alcohol treatment and monitoring. Bayless was also ordered to pay $83.92 in restitution to the victim. Bayless will serve an 11-month prison sentence if she violates any condition of her community control supervision. Detective Sgt. Jeff Jacobs of the Mount Vernon Police Department, investigated the case.
Sandra Eberling, 43, Huntington, W.Va., was convicted of theft of drugs for stealing Adderall pills prescribed for her friend’s son, on Dec. 20, 2009. Eberling was sentenced to a one-year term of community control supervision. Eberling’s supervision will be transferred to West Virginia authorities, according to Thatcher. Eberling will serve a 15-month prison sentence if she violates any condition of her community control supervision. Officer Jessica Butler of MVPD investigated the case.
