'I am so ashamed,' says Akron woman sentenced to prison for fatal wrong-way crash
Family and friends of a Canton woman killed in a wrong-way collision asked a Summit County judge Wednesday not to show sympathy to the woman who hit her because the crash left the driver in a wheelchair.
“It’s her fault,” Aniyah Dayton, the daughter of Lisabeth Dayton, said during Jessica Skinner’s sentencing. “It’s not my mom’s fault. (Skinner) cannot be forgiven for this. She hurt too many people.”
Skinner’s loved ones, though, said Skinner, who was paralyzed from the waist down in the May 2022 crash on an Akron freeway, is remorseful and has already paid dearly for the mistake she made in driving drunk.
“She is not a monster,” said Mariam Muckus, Skinner’s grandmother. “It was a tragedy on both sides.”
Skinner, 22, of Akron, pleaded guilty in August in Summit County Common Pleas Court to two counts of aggravated vehicular homicide, second- and third-degree felonies, and one count of operating a vehicle while under the influence, a first-degree misdemeanor.
More: 'It changes lives,' says friend of Canton woman killed in wrong-way drunken-driving crash
Judge Alison McCarty sentenced Skinner Wednesday to six to nine years in prison, which was less than the maximum penalty of eight to 12 years. She noted that Skinner avoided the need for the family to go through a trial and had never before had a drunken-driving offense.
This is one of several wrong-way crashes on highways in the Akron area in recent years that resulted in serious injuries and deaths.
Wrong-way crash was on Interstate 76 in Akron
The crash involving Skinner and Dayton happened about 11:40 p.m. May 12, 2022, on Interstate 76 West near the Innovation Way exit.
Police said Skinner's Nissan Altima hit Dayton's Buick LeSabre head on while going the wrong way on the highway. Skinner drove onto the highway in the wrong direction at the nearby Arlington Street ramp.
Dayton, 41, died the day after the crash from a stroke at Summa Akron City Hospital after being taken there with serious injuries, including bone fractures.
Prosecutors say Skinner had a blood-alcohol level of 0.245 percent, which is three times Ohio's legal limit for driving.
Dayton’s family members express their grief and loss
The courtroom was packed during Skinner’s sentencing with family members of both Skinner and Dayton, with several of them speaking.
Rebecca Woods, one of Dayton’s best friends, said Dayton, who was the head chef at Ray's Place in Kent, was headed home after a long shift the night she was hit. When Dayton didn’t come home, Woods said her family and friends tried to find her but she was listed as “Jane Doe” at the hospital.
“By the time we found her, it was too late,” said Woods, who wore a T-shirt with a photo of her and Dayton. “She went through surgery alone and she died alone. We didn’t have the chance to hold her hand — to let her know how much we loved her.”
Kim Dudley said Dayton was a caring mother and grandmother who was always willing to lend a hand or a shoulder. She said they were friends for 30 years.
“I have to figure out how to live the next 30 years without her,” Dudley said, sobbing.
Assistant Summit County Prosecutor Emily Hall urged McCarty to impose the maximum sentence, noting that this could have been avoided if Skinner hadn’t driven that night.
“This was a truly preventable crime,” Hall said.
Skinner’s family members express sympathy for Dayton’s family
Melissa Mann, Skinner’s mother, said her daughter is a sweet and caring girl who made “a very bad choice.” She said her daughter is remorseful and often cries uncontrollably over what happened.
“My heart breaks every day for that family,” she said. “I couldn’t imagine the pain and agony they go through.”
Hennaiza Callaway, Skinner’s best friend, said she was with Skinner on the night of the crash and drove her home. Callaway, who was pregnant at the time, said she was the designated driver.
After Callaway dropped Skinner off, Skinner then got in her car and drove the wrong way on the freeway.
“I hope the family does not have hate,” Callaway said. “It wasn’t her fault. It was a mistake. This isn’t her. It’s just a mistake.”
Skinner doesn’t remember driving, attorney says
Tom Bauer, Skinner’s attorney, said his client doesn’t remember driving that night or getting into the crash.
“She doesn’t know where she was going or why she got back in the car,” Bauer said. “I know it doesn’t make it better.”
Bauer said Skinner didn’t make a “conscious effort to get drunk and drive.”
Bauer said Skinner suffered severe injuries that mean she needs help with tasks like using the restroom and bathing. He said she also suffers from depression.
Bauer asked the judge to sentence Skinner how she thought was appropriate.
Skinner apologized to Dayton’s loved ones.
“I am so ashamed of my actions,” she said. “I am so sorry for the suffering I have caused.”
McCarty told Dayton’s family that she thinks she knew how much they loved her. She commended Skinner’s family members for speaking on her behalf.
Besides the prison sentence, McCarty suspended Skinner’s driver’s license for the rest of her life. She also ordered her to pay $4,714 in restitution for the damage to the vehicle Dayton was driving.
McCarty ordered Skinner, who had asked to be able to report later, to immediately be taken into custody.
“I don’t believe you’re a monster,” McCarty told Skinner. “It was a monstrous act that happened.”
Stephanie Warsmith can be reached at swarsmith@thebeaconjournal.com, 330-996-3705 and on Twitter: @swarsmithabj.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Jessica Skinner sentenced to prison for fatal wrong-way crash in Akron
