AGGRAVATED VEHICULAR HOMICIDE AND OPERATING A MOTOR VEHICLE WHILE IMPAIRED BY DRUGS INDICTMENT FILE

AGGRAVATED VEHICULAR HOMICIDE AND OPERATING A MOTOR VEHICLE WHILE IMPAIRED BY DRUGS INDICTMENT FILED ON DRIVER WHO CAUSED DEATH OF BICYCLIST IN HILLIARD

Posted on 1/31/2020

Defendant: Vincent Depalma

Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O’Brien announced today the indictment of Vincent Depalma on charges of Aggravated Vehicular Homicide and Operating a Motor Vehicle While Impaired by Drugs. Depalma, 32, of Dublin, was impaired by a non-prescription designer sedative drug when he crashed into a bicyclist on August 31^st last year on Scioto and Darby Creek Road. The bicyclist, Kurtis Tunnell, 58, of Hilliard, was in the proper lane of travel and his bicycle was equipped with the proper lights and reflective gear when he was struck from behind. Mr. Tunnell later died from the injuries he sustained in the collision. If convicted, Mr. Depalma could serve up to eight and one-half years in prison.