More than four years after a family from Mason was killed in a wrong-way crash on Interstate 75, the woman accused of killing them is on trial.Abby Michaels, 25, of Xenia, faces six counts of murder and three counts of aggravated vehicular homicide. Last Friday, three additional counts of aggravated vehicular homicide and an OVI charge were dismissed.On March 17, 2019, prosecutors said Michaels intentionally drove the wrong way on the interstate and crashed into another car killing Timmy Thompson, 51, his wife Karen Thompson, 50 and their 10-year-old daughter Tessa.The Thompsons were on their way home to Mason after visiting family when they were hit head-on."By nightfall, that living family was no longer alive," assistant Montgomery County prosecutor Bryan Moore said in his opening statement.Prosecutors said other drivers saw Michaels' car drive through an emergency turn-around and head north in the southbound lanes."And they watch in horror as that vehicle collides with the Thompson vehicle. That vehicle is being driven, controlled by Abby Michaels," Moore said. Defense attorney Jay Adams called what happened tragic but said there is more to the story."This issue is whether or not Abby Michaels acted knowingly. That's the whole case," Adams said. Adams said Michaels had suffered for years from a seizure disorder."At the end of this, Abby Michaels was involved in a tragic event with the Thompson family. That is very sad, but she didn't murder anybody. She suffered from a medical condition," Adams said.One of the first people to testify Monday was Michaels' husband at the time of the crash, Kyle Pastorelle. He had filed for divorce two days prior and was not with Michaels that night.Prosecutors showed surveillance footage of Michaels wearing a festive, green and white St. Patrick's Day hat at Ron's Pizza in Miamisburg.Prosecutors pointed her out in the video leaving the restaurant at 7:43 p.m. that night.Eleven minutes later, Pastorelle said Michaels called him asking to come over."I was pretty adamant on 'No, we're not doing this. It's not going to happen,' and that's when she told me that — she was driving at the time — and that's when she told me she was going to drive backwards on 75," Pastorelle said. Pastorelle said Michaels sent him a text message a few minutes later and said, "Goodbye. I love you. I'm dying now." By 8:10 p.m., Moraine police were dispatched to the deadly crash.During cross-examination, Pastorelle testified to Michaels' medical issues."You were asked about seizures and whether you've actually seen any in the seven years. You know she's had them, correct?" Adams asked.Pastorelle said, "Yeah."Adams asked, "You know she's been hospitalized for them, correct?""Yes," Pastorelle answered.The bench trial is expected to last most of the week.
More than four years after a family from Mason was killed in a wrong-way crash on Interstate 75, the woman accused of killing them is on trial.
Abby Michaels, 25, of Xenia, faces six counts of murder and three counts of aggravated vehicular homicide. Last Friday, three additional counts of aggravated vehicular homicide and an OVI charge were dismissed.
On March 17, 2019, prosecutors said Michaels intentionally drove the wrong way on the interstate and crashed into another car killing Timmy Thompson, 51, his wife Karen Thompson, 50 and their 10-year-old daughter Tessa.
The Thompsons were on their way home to Mason after visiting family when they were hit head-on.
"By nightfall, that living family was no longer alive," assistant Montgomery County prosecutor Bryan Moore said in his opening statement.
Prosecutors said other drivers saw Michaels' car drive through an emergency turn-around and head north in the southbound lanes.
"And they watch in horror as that vehicle collides with the Thompson vehicle. That vehicle is being driven, controlled by Abby Michaels," Moore said.
Defense attorney Jay Adams called what happened tragic but said there is more to the story.
"This issue is whether or not Abby Michaels acted knowingly. That's the whole case," Adams said.
Adams said Michaels had suffered for years from a seizure disorder.
"At the end of this, Abby Michaels was involved in a tragic event with the Thompson family. That is very sad, but she didn't murder anybody. She suffered from a medical condition," Adams said.
One of the first people to testify Monday was Michaels' husband at the time of the crash, Kyle Pastorelle. He had filed for divorce two days prior and was not with Michaels that night.
Prosecutors showed surveillance footage of Michaels wearing a festive, green and white St. Patrick's Day hat at Ron's Pizza in Miamisburg.
Prosecutors pointed her out in the video leaving the restaurant at 7:43 p.m. that night.
Eleven minutes later, Pastorelle said Michaels called him asking to come over.
"I was pretty adamant on 'No, we're not doing this. It's not going to happen,' and that's when she told me that — she was driving at the time — and that's when she told me she was going to drive backwards on 75," Pastorelle said.
Pastorelle said Michaels sent him a text message a few minutes later and said, "Goodbye. I love you. I'm dying now."
By 8:10 p.m., Moraine police were dispatched to the deadly crash.
During cross-examination, Pastorelle testified to Michaels' medical issues.
"You were asked about seizures and whether you've actually seen any in the seven years. You know she's had them, correct?" Adams asked.
Pastorelle said, "Yeah."
Adams asked, "You know she's been hospitalized for them, correct?"
"Yes," Pastorelle answered.
The bench trial is expected to last most of the week.
Source link
