Fatal Crash at N. Abbe Road and Route 57: Elyria Man Charged with Felony
An Elyria man, accused of driving impaired when he caused a fatal crash this summer, is facing multiple felony charges. Joshua Thompson, 42, of University Avenue, was arraigned Thursday in Lorain County Common Pleas Court. He pleaded not guilty to charges that include two counts of aggravated vehicular homicide, one count of aggravated vehicular assault, and one count of vehicular assault, all felonies. He is also facing a misdemeanor charge of DUI.
Thompson was granted a $20,000 cash bond and a personal bond, allowing him to remain free while the case proceeds. The case has been assigned to Judge John Miraldi, who is set to be replaced by Judge-elect Donna Freeman. A pretrial hearing is scheduled for December 2, according to court records. Thompson’s attorney, Kenneth Lieux, referred to the incident as “a tragic accident for all concerned” and said he would soon request discovery from the Lorain County Prosecutor’s Office.
According to Elyria police, Thompson was impaired when he allegedly ran a red light at the intersection of North Abbe Road and state Route 57 on the night of July 7, shortly after 10 p.m. His 1999 Ford Explorer collided with a 2011 Ford Escape driven by 50-year-old Sherry Taylor. The impact occurred on the driver’s side of Taylor’s vehicle. Thompson’s SUV then rolled onto its roof.
Taylor was killed in the crash and was pronounced dead at the scene from internal injuries, according to the Lorain County Coroner’s Office. Thompson and his passenger, 40-year-old Brent Wise, were both injured and transported to University Hospitals Elyria Medical Center.
Thompson has a history of DUI offenses, with two prior arrests in 2011 and 2023. In both instances, he pleaded guilty to lesser charges, according to Elyria Municipal Court records.
