Driver in Fatal Hit-and-Run Crash Found, Arrested
An initial charge has been filed against a man who fled the scene after causing a crash that killed a 23-year-old Auburn Township man Nov. 12, Geauga County Prosecutor Jim Flaiz said Wednesday.
An initial charge has been filed against a man who fled the scene after causing a crash that killed a 23-year-old Auburn Township man Nov. 12, Geauga County Prosecutor Jim Flaiz said Wednesday.
George J. Gaspare, 60, of Cleveland Drive, Auburn Township, was arrested at his home on a warrant issued by Chardon Municipal Court Judge Terri Stupica, Flaiz said. He was charged Nov. 23 with one count of third-degree felony leaving the scene of an accident.
“He will have an initial appearance on Monday (Nov. 28) and more charges are likely once the matter is presented to the grand jury,” Flaiz said.
Gaspare is accused of driving his car, a 2005 Buick Lacrosse, into the rear of a 2016 Honda Pioneer utility vehicle on Munn Road in Auburn Township at 12:30 a.m. Nov. 12 that killed the Honda’s driver, Tyler Davis.
According to the Chardon post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Davis was traveling northbound on Munn Road when Gaspare rear-ended his UTV, forcing it off the west side of the roadway. Davis was ejected from the Honda and sustained life-threatening injuries.
Gaspare fled the scene, the patrol said.
However, by 6:30 a.m., the state patrol thought they had found the vehicle from the hit-skip accident, according to a Nov. 12 Geauga County Sheriff’s Office incident report.
“Investigators with the state patrol did an outstanding job tracing wreckage from the scene to Gaspare’s vehicle,” Flaiz said. “They were able to determine the make and model of the vehicle, and did a search for registered vehicles near the scene. Gaspare lives within two miles of the scene. They were also able to follow a fluid trail from the scene to the entrance of DTJ Taborville.”
Added Flaiz, “Further investigation and interviews confirmed he was the driver.”
Gaspare has an extensive traffic record. According to the Chardon Municipal Court docket, he has been convicted of speeding three times, most recently in September 2022. Gaspare also has been found guilty of driving under suspension and failure to control, and, in 2006, was sentenced to 365 days in jail following his third DUI.
This story will be updated following Gaspare’s Nov. 28 initial appearance.
