Man Faces Aggravated Vehicular Homicide Charges After Plain Township Hit-and-Run

A North Canton man who's had six prior convictions for driving under the influence will appear in court this week on charges of aggravated vehicular homicide and operating a vehicle under the influence. 

Paul A. Newton, 48, is slated to appear in court at 1:30 p.m. today for a preliminary hearing. He's accused of , 71, of Canton. The fatal collision took place just after 9:30 p.m. July 2 at Easton Street and Pine Tree Avenue in Plain Township.

Newton was being held in the Stark County Jail on a $2 million bond as of Tuesday afternoon.

Police issued a warrant for Newton's arrest on July 3, and he was arrested that day and taken to the Stark County Jail, according to court records.

Newton appeared in court July 6 with his attorney, Eugene O'Byrne, and was arraigned on charges of aggravated vehicular homicide, a second-degree felony, and operating a vehicle under the influence, a third-degree felony. Judge Stephen F. Belden set Newton's bond at $2 million cash or surety.

Here's the account sheriff's officials give of the crash:

Newton was speeding while traveling west on Easton Street in a 2000 Ford F-650 truck with no headlights on just after 9:30 p.m. Monday. He hit the left side of Oldfield's 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix, which was turning westbound on Easton Street from Pine Tree Avenue.

The collision caused both cars to stop on Easton Street facing northbound.

The Stark County Sheriff's Office and Plain Township Fire Department responded to the crash. Witnesses directed deputies as Newton ran from the scene.

Deputies caught up and arrested Newton, who was then taken to Aultman Hospital for injuries.

Fire officials had to extricate Oldfield from her car. She was taken to Mercy Medical Center, where she died early this morning.

Oldfield's passenger, Elyjah D. Gourick, 6, of Canton, was also taken to Mercy Medical Center. Both were wearing their seatbelts.