A Stark County grand jury has indicted a 34-year-old man in connection with a crash that killed an off-duty Canton police officer last November.
Garth W. Haines faces a misdemeanor charge of vehicular manslaughter, along with traffic violations for failing to maintain marked lanes and failing to use proper directional signals. Vehicular manslaughter, the most serious charge, carries a potential penalty of up to 90 days in jail and a $750 fine.
The charges stem from a Nov. 10 crash that claimed the life of Canton Police Officer David E. Wolgamott, 47, who was off duty at the time.
According to a crash report from the Stark County Sheriff’s Office, Haines was driving a pickup truck southbound on Cherry Avenue Southeast when his vehicle crossed into the northbound lane. Wolgamott, who was traveling north in a sport utility vehicle, struck the side of the truck.
Authorities said the collision occurred around 6:53 a.m. on a bridge during hazardous conditions. The report noted icy roads, falling snow and low-light conditions at dawn at the time of the crash.
The case has been returned to Canton Municipal Court because all charges filed are misdemeanors. An initial court appearance has not yet been scheduled.
Wolgamott, a Dover resident, served with the Canton Police Department for 19 years.
