Strader faces a maximum of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. He also could be barred from driving for life. Butler County Common Pleas Judge Patricia Oney ordered a pre-sentencing investigation and set sentencing for Dec. 7. Strader’s trial, which was continued three times, had been scheduled to begin next week.
Both Strader and Stapleton’s families were in court for the short hearing. Strader, who is free on bond, left without comment. Defense attorneys Cornelius Lewis and Lawrence Hawkins III declined comment.
“I know the time doesn’t fit the crime,” said Robert Stapleton, Troy’s brother. Robert Stapleton attended Monday’s hearing with his brothers, Phil and Larry. The four brothers, all truck drivers, grew up in Butler County, he said.
Troy Stapleton had just retired after 40-plus years as a truck driver and took a part time job driving for Fairfield-based Universal Transportation Systems, according to his brothers.
“It wasn’t his time to go,” said Phil Stapleton, noting his brother’s death had been harder on the family than losing their parents.
Strader shed a few tears during the hearing, but Robert Stapleton said they were tears of fear, not remorse.
“I just don’t think I can ever forgive,” Robert Stapleton said. “He (Strader) was running after the first crash when he hit my brother. He had already hit one person.”
According to West Chester police, Strader’s black Chevrolet Avalanche was traveling an estimated 75 mph when it sped through a red light and slammed into a Toyota Prius driven by Stapleton at the intersection of Ohio 747 and Port Union Road.
Witnesses reported that immediately before the fatal crash, Strader rear-ended a vehicle on Ohio 747 between Union Center Boulevard and Mackenzie Court and sped away from the scene.
After the crash, Strader told police he had seizures and took medication for the condition, according to court records.
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