Man pleads guilty to new charges in crash

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A man charged with felony vehicular assault pleaded guilty to three new charges during a plea hearing on Thursday.

Adam E. Schwarz, 22, of Springfield, pleaded guilty to a first degree misdemeanor assault charge in addition to two minor misdemeanor violation of traffic laws charges stemming from a May 24, 2015 crash.

On that date, Gregory L. 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 and failed to see the pickup truck 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.

Hoffman was transported via CareFlight to Miami Valley Hospital, Dayton, following the crash. Hoffman died Jan. 19.

Hoffman’s plea comes after the case appeared to be headed to trial in April following a final pretrial conference March 7. The three new charges were filed through a bill of information Wednesday.

As part of a plea resolution, a fourth degree felony vehicular assault charge was dismissed.

A sentencing hearing is scheduled for April 28.

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

By Nick Walton

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

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