Retired Pa. police officer gets at least 7 years for fatal crash that killed Warren man

A Sharpsville, Pa., man on Tuesday was given a seven to 10½-year prison sentence and a lifetime driver’s license suspension after being convicted of charges of aggravated vehicular homicide and OVI for a fatal traffic crash that occurred late on Nov. 17, 2023, at the intersection of U.S. 422 and Ohio 305 in Southington.

Joseph P. Yuran, 55, was also fined $1,075 and must pay the family of the victims $750 in restitution. Yuran blamed the offense, which occurred while he was facing two other OVI cases in Pennsylvania, on alcoholism.

The crash claimed the life of Tyler Richmond, 23, of Warren, who was pronounced dead at the scene of injuries. Richmond’s mother and his longtime girlfriend made emotional victim impact statements prior to the sentencing by Trumbull County Common Pleas Judge Ronald J. Rice who said he was “deeply moved” by the victims’ grieving.

In his own emotional statement, Yuran turned and faced Raymond’s parents to tell them he was sorry for his actions. Yuran is a retired Pennsylvania State police officer.

According to a report from the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Yuran’s red 2016 Ram 1500 pickup truck was traveling westbound on Route 305 and failed to stop at the stop sign at the intersection of U.S. 422 and struck the red 2016 Chevrolet Malibu driven by Richmond.

Yuran was treated for minor injuries at the scene and was charged after undergoing a field sobriety test conducted by troopers, the report stated.

Yuran also submitted to blood/alcohol and urine tests at the patrol post.

His BAC was recorded at .196 which was above the legal limit of .08 BAC for drunk driving in Ohio.

This story was originally published April 25, 2024 at 6:41 AM.