Ex-bus driver gets 6 months in prison after running down Ohio pedestrian while talking on cell

Ex-bus driver convicted in Ohio pedestrian’s death

CLEVELAND — A former Cleveland bus driver who was on her cell phone when her bus struck and killed a man in a crosswalk has been found guilty of vehicular homicide.

However, a jury on Wednesday acquitted 50-year-old Angela Williams of a more serious charge of aggravated vehicular homicide. If convicted on that count, she could have received up to five years in prison.

Cuyahoga (ky-uh-HOH’-guh) County Common Pleas Judge Shirley Strickland Saffold gave Williams six months behind bars and a $1,000 fine.

Defense attorney Rufus Sims plans to appeal. He says the six-month sentence is too severe for a woman with no prior convictions.

Sims had disputed a police claim that Williams was on her cell phone when her bus struck and killed 59-year-old Patrick Merrill in March.

Information from: The Plain Dealer, www.cleveland.com