By Kathy Laird

Aaron Adams, 45, of Shelby appeared in Crawford County Common Pleas Court on Monday afternoon to change his plea on a charge of aggravated assault. An auto accident that occurred Sept. 15, 2016 was, according to Prosecutor Matt Crall, “a horrific scene.”

He went on describe how Adams’ vehicle, a red Ford Escape, went left of center and struck a vehicle driven by Rebecca Gierhart of Upper Sandusky. Crall explained that Adams had just days before the accident pleaded on an OMVI charge and was driving under suspension. He noted that Suboxone was a factor in the crash. Adams also had been dismissed from a treatment program right before the accident.

Judge Sean Leuthold went on to discuss the prosecution’s plea agreement with Adams. He was offered a plea that included a four-year prison sentence, a lifetime driver’s license suspension and a mandatory five years on post release control.

Before officially accepting Adams’ plea, Leuthold turned to Gierhart for her statement. Gierhart, now 26, was 25 years old at the time of the accident. Her family quietly wept as she explained the way her life has been impacted by Adams’ actions.

“Your honor, I saw this car coming at me and I was able to get my car down to first gear and I just braced myself for the impact,” Gierhart said. “He was not attempting to stop. I hung in my car upside down for about 15 minutes. I couldn’t feel my left side and I couldn’t find my phone so I just started screaming. I stayed focused to be here today to tell my story.”

Gearhart was taken by medical helicopter to Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center with injuries that included a punctured lung, eight broken ribs, two broken femurs and a broken neck. While at OSU, she had to have a procedure called a craniotomy; done by having mesh placed under her brain to prevent it from sinking. She also developed pneumonia causing other treatments to be delayed. She was placed on a ventilator after suffering stroke like brain activity. She was bedfast for six weeks and spent more time in a rehabilitation center in Columbus.

“I live in Upper Sandusky, and my family came to Columbus every day to be with me,” She said. “I didn’t know if I’d ever walk or have use of my left arm again.”

She was eventually relocated to a rehabilitation center closer to home. Over some months she got the use of her left arm back but now walks with a cane.

“I have walking conditions similar to someone over 70 years old and I am 26,” Gierhart said. “I still have a long road ahead. I can’t drive by myself because I’m terrified and I can’t work because I can’t stand for long periods of time, but I’ve accepted that. My major was choral music education, but I can’t sing with the choir anymore and I certainly can’t march with the band anymore.”

Noticeably moved by Gierhart’s statement, Leuthold told her, “I cannot tell you how many people that I encounter who look for any reason to give up. It is refreshing to see someone like you, who refuses to give up. It’s a miracle you are alive, but it is your sheer determination to recover has brought you to this point.”

Leuthold then asked Adams’ attorney, Joel Spitzer, if he had anything he wanted to say. Spitzer talked about his client’s deep remorse for what had happened. Adams, Spitzer explained, became addicted to opiates after being prescribed them by his physician for pain control. He went on to add that his life had spiraled out of control over the last few years and had resulted in the loss of his marriage and loss of relationship with his three sons as well as damage to his own family.

Spitzer noted his client is grateful Ms. Gierhart survived. Adams was found unconscious by Gearhart’s car when he had tried to crawl to her to get help for her. Spitzer made it clear that his client was there to accept responsibility and face his sentence.

Adams then addressed the court and the victim with a tearful apology.

“I am so sorry for what I did,” Adams said. “I wish I could go back but I can’t go back. My injuries were self-inflicted yours were not. I am sorry for the pain I’ve caused you and your family.”

Leuthold told Adams, “I appreciate that you did not come in here and make excuses.”

Leuthold went on to point out that while much of the enforcement of driving impaired is aimed at drunk driving, there is another epidemic that is not being talked about, driving under the influence of drugs.

“This is a terrible thing to see,” Leuthold said. “The collateral damage is far reaching. Not only are the victims and their families impacted, but so are the families of the addicts. They lose trust, and they suffer emotionally and financially. They lay awake at night.”

Noting that the use of opiates significantly is down in Crawford County, Leuthold said it’s still a lost issue that no one is talking about.

“There aren’t any groups out there making noise about this problem,” Leuthold said. “This is a lost issue that no one wants to address; opiate addicts driving under the influence; many with suspended licenses. I can assure you that this court does not forget the victims.”

As the Judge gave the agreed sentence, he said to Adams, “I believe you are sorry, but this is a lot more than just being sorry. You are lucky, sir, that you are not facing more serious charges. It’s easy to see that it’s a miracle that Ms. Gierhart is alive. Through her sheer strength and determination she made her way here today, her life and dreams changed forever. You’ve got a lot to make up for and today’s the day you start the process.”

Leuthold ordered Adams to be taken into custody and remanded to prison.