Ohio Vehicular Manslaughter Laws

Vehicular Manslaughter, Vehicular Homicide and Aggravated Vehicular Homicide: Ohio Revised Statute 2903.04

"Vehicular Homicide"

Vehicular Manslaughter: Causing the death of another person or their unborn child while operating a motor vehicle as the result of a misdemeanor traffic violation.

Vehicular Homicide: While operating a vehicle, you caused the death of another person in one of the following ways: (1) negligently; or (2) as the proximate result of committing a speeding offense in a construction zone.

Aggravated Vehicular Homicide: You caused the death of another person in one of the following ways: (1) as a proximate result of operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs; (2) recklessly; or (3) as the proximate result of committing a reckless operation offense in a construction zone.

Vehicular Manslaughter :

• Second degree misdemeanor, Up to 90 days in jail and a mandatory driver's license suspension for six months to three years
• Elevated to a first degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to six months in jail, if either of the following apply: (1) driving with no license or suspended license; (2) prior conviction for Vehicular Homicide or any traffic-related homicide, manslaughter, or assault offense.

Vehicular Homicide : (Depends on how the crime occurred)

• Negligence: First degree misdemeanor, Up to six months in jail and a mandatory license suspension for one year to five years.
• Speeding in a construction zone: First degree misdemeanor, Up to six months in jail (with a minimum mandatory jail sentence of 15 days) and a mandatory license suspension for one year to five years.
• Suspended License or prior conviction for Vehicular Homicide or any traffic-related homicide, manslaughter, or assault offense : Fourth degree felony, Up to 18 months in prison and license suspension anywhere from two (2) years to life.

Aggravated Vehicular Homicide : (Depends on how the crime occurred)

• Driving Under the Influence : Second degree felony, mandatory prison term of two (2) years to eight (8) years, as well as a mandatory license suspension for life.
• Suspended License or prior conviction for Vehicular Homicide or Vehicular Assault: First degree felony, punishable by 11-15 years in prison, possible lifetime driver's license suspension.
• Recklessly Operating a Motor Vehicle : Third degree felony, includes a prison term of one year to five years, mandatory license suspension for three years to life.

Motor vehicle, motorcycle, snowmobile, locomotive, watercraft, or aircraft