Aggravated vehicular homicide suspect arraigned
NEW PHILADELPHIA (WJER) (June 27, 2024) – The suspect in a deadly hit-and-run crash near Newcomerstown remains on house arrest after pleading not guilty to aggravated vehicular homicide and other charges.
68-year-old Benjamin Henry of Port Washington entered the plea Wednesday during his arraignment on a grand jury indictment also accusing him of OVI and leaving the scene of the January 31st crash on Route 258 that killed a buggy driver. Henry’s public defender asked Judge Elizabeth Thomakos to drop the $100,000 surety bond he posted back in March and impose a nightly curfew but she refused.
“I am not inclined to change the terms of the bond that were set. We’re dealing with some very serious matters here, obviously, and the bond conditions that were put in place will remain in place for now while this matter is pending.”
52-year-old Menno Troyer lost his life in the crash that the highway patrol says happened when Henry’s vehicle went left of center and collided with the westbound buggy. Sheriff’s deputies reportedly found the vehicle in a ditch nearby and took Henry into custody without incident. There’s a pre-trial conference on July 22nd to schedule future court dates.