Woman arraigned on Brake crash charges

Van Wert independent

A Van Wert woman has pleaded not guilty to charges filed in connection with the traffic death of former Van Wert Solid Waste Management Director George Brake.

Babette L. Stewart, 38, entered the pleas to one count each of vehicular homicide, a misdemeanor of the first degree, and vehicular manslaughter, a second-degree misdemeanor, during a hearing presided over by Judge Jill Leatherman on Monday afternoon.

Judge Leatherman also recused herself from the case because she knows the defendant and felt it could be a conflict of interest.

Judge Leatherman read the charges against Stewart and the defendant then entered the not guilty pleas. The judge released Stewart on a personal surety bond and scheduled a pretrial conference for 1 p.m. Tuesday, February 2, 2016, in Municipal Court.

Brake, 58, was killed September 23 when Stewart, who was driving an F-250 pickup truck, allegedly failed to yield the right of way at the intersection of State and Mendon roads and broadsided Brake’s 1971 Volkswagen Beetle.

The former SWCD director was taken to Van Wert County Hospital, but died later of injuries received in the accident.