A Wood County man who caused a serious injury to two motorcyclists while driving drunk has been sentenced.
Anthony Haney, 24, formerly of Bowling Green and currently of Luckey, appeared Thursday in the courtroom of Wood County Common Pleas Judge Joel Kuhlman.
He was indicted in June for two counts aggravated vehicular assault, both third-degree felonies, and two counts operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol, a drug of abuse or a combination of them, both first-degree misdemeanors.
One OVI count was dismissed.
According to the Wood County Sheriff’s Office crash report, on May 27 at 2 a.m., Haney was sitting in his 2019 Toyota Camry in a private drive in the 10200 block of Sugar Ridge Road.
Jesse Harman, 48, Woodville, was eastbound on a 2011 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy.
Haney failed to yield and entered the roadway heading west. He collided with the motorcycle.
Harman and his passenger, Kim Harman, 49, Woodville, were both ejected from the bike. Neither was wearing a helmet, according to the crash report.
They were taken by air ambulance to Toledo Hospital with suspected serious injuries.
Haney’s blood alcohol content at the time of the crash was 0.146.
Defense attorney Steve Spitler said his client had served in the Marine Corps and was twice deployed before being honorably discharged. He has been diagnosed with PTSD and depression.
Haney called 911 after the crash and his medic training kicked in, “doing everything he can,” Spitler said.
His client applied a tourniquet while waiting for the ambulance, he said.
Haney thought enough time had passed since his last beer, Spitler said.
“It’s the worst biggest mistake of his life,” he said.
“This has been life changing,” Haney said. “I want to wish the victims a healthy recovery and am thankful they’re still alive.”
This has been a wakeup call, he said.
“I hope I can repay back to them as much as I can. I know it’s hard for them too,” he said.
Kuhlman said he had received nearly a dozen letters on behalf of Haney as well as from the victims.
The vehicular assault charges have a mandatory prison sentence from nine-36 months, he said, and there is a maximum 180 days for the OVI charge.
“The victims were seriously injured. This is exactly why there are OVI laws,” Kuhlman said.
The ability of the victims to earn an income has been impacted and the man lost his leg, he said.
Kuhlman imposed 12 months for each assault charge and 180 days for the OVI charge, to be served concurrently.
Once he is released from prison, Haney’s driver’s license will be suspended for three years.
