Man Pleads Guilty to Crash that Killed Canton Woman

Paul A. Newton is expected to serve about 13 years in prison after admitting to driving the , 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.

The Canton Repository reported today Newton avoided his scheduled trial next week by pleading guilty to charges of aggravated vehicular homicide, failure to stop after an accident, driving under suspension and operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol, a drug of abuse or a combination of them with repeat-offender specification.

"I’ve got to live with it the rest of my life," Newton was quoted in the Rep. "I’m terribly sorry, terribly sorry.”

You can find more information about today's plea hearing in the Canton Repository.

Here's the account sheriff's officials gave 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.