Painesville woman pleads guilty in crash that killed Geneva woman

A Painesville woman pleaded guilty June 7 to causing a crash that killed a Geneva woman last August.

Autumn Baker, 24, admitted to operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and causing the death of 53-year-old Gwendolyn Tingley.

Baker pleaded guilty to charges of aggravated vehicular homicide, aggravated vehicular assault and operating a vehicle while intoxicated. Her plea carries a mandatory prison sentence, and she faces a maximum of 18-and-a-half years in prison. The Lake County Prosecutor’s Office is recommending a seven-year sentence.

At around 10:25 p.m. Aug. 19, 2017, a 2005 Mercury Mountaineer driven by Baker was traveling east on Route 20 when it failed to yield while making a left turn onto Mantle Road, according to the Ohio Highway Patrol.

The Mercury Mountaineer struck an oncoming 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier driven by Christopher Hopkins, 34, of Geneva, who was traveling west on Route 20.

The Cavalier had four other occupants, Tingley and three of her grandchildren.

After striking the Cavalier, the Mountaineer hit a 1998 Ford Expedition that was stopped at a stop sign on Mantle Road.

Painesville Fire & EMS responded to the crash scene. Baker was transported to TriPoint Medical Center for treatment of non-incapacitating injuries.

Tingley also was taken by Painesville EMS to TriPoint, where she was pronounced dead.

The three children were transported by EMS to TriPoint for non-life-threatening injuries and eventually flown via medical helicopter to MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland. One of the children sustained a fracture in the pelvic area.

The other drivers were not injured in the crash.

Baker will be sentenced by Lake County Common Pleas Court Judge Eugene Lucci July 18.

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