New Lebanon woman sentenced to prison in fatal 2016 hit-and-run

Credit: DaytonDailyNews

A New Lebanon woman found guilty of vehicular homicide for her involvement in a 2016 hit-and-run on U.S. 35 in Jefferson Twp. was sentenced Wednesday to two years in prison.

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Leighann Maines, 34, failed to stop after hitting and killing 59-year-old James Brunner Jr. on Sept. 27, 2016, the Montgomery County Prosecutor’s Office said in a statement released Wednesday.

Maines failed to call police after hitting Brunner and was found to have a variety of prescription and illicit drugs in her system. Brunner, of Trotwood, was believed to have been waiting on a bus when he was struck, then-Sheriff Phil Plummer said.

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“This defendant acted with complete disregard toward human life and left this victim, who was still alive, lying in a field without help, aid or medical attention,” Prosecutor Mat Heck Jr. said.

Maines stopped briefly after hitting Brunner, but she claims she “panicked” and drove away.

After serving two years in prison, Maines’ driver’s license will be suspended for five years.

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