Hearing scheduled in vehicular assault case

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A man charged in an injury crash from earlier this year is scheduled to appear in court Wednesday for an arraignment hearing.

Adam E. Schwarz, 21, of 1350 Ryan Court, Springfield, is charged with vehicular assault, a fourth degree felony, stemming from a crash that occurred during the Memorial Day weekend. The grand jury indictment contends that on May 24, Schwarz – while operating or participating in the operation of a motor vehicle – caused physical harm to Gregory L. Hoffman.

A June press release from the Champaign County Sheriff’s Office states an investigation into the crash showed Hoffman was driving a motorcycle northbound on North U.S. Route 68 when he stopped to make a left turn onto state Route 296. A pickup truck stopped behind Hoffman.

Schwarz was traveling northbound on North U.S. 68 and failed to see that the pickup truck was stopped in the northbound lane. He reportedly veered left into the southbound lane of traffic and cut back into the northbound lane after passing the truck, striking Hoffman’s motorcycle and taking both vehicles off the right side of the roadway just north of the intersection.

The Urbana Fire Division responded to the scene and transported Hoffman to Grimes Field before he was transported via CareFlight to Miami Valley Hospital, Dayton.

In addition to the criminal case, Schwarz is a defendant in a civil case where Hoffman is the plaintiff.

A complaint filed in the civil case by Attorney Ronald C. Tompkins, Hoffman’s attorney, states Hoffman sustained traumatic injury as a result of the crash, including brain injury which requires 24-hour care. Tompkins adds Hoffman had to have a tracheostomy to assist him with breathing and has required the placement of a permanent feeding tube.

The complaint states Hoffman is seeking relief in excess of $25,000.

A scheduling conference is scheduled to occur before Magistrate Scott D. Schockling on Jan. 28, 2016.

By Nick Walton

[email protected]

Nick Walton can be reached at 937-652-1331 Ext. 1777 or on Twitter @UDCWalton.

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