Cleveland Man Pleads Guilty to Hit-And-Run Crash that Killed Woman on Christmas Day
4/23/2020
CLEVELAND – Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael C. O’Malley announced that Edwin Valentin, 25, pled guilty for causing the death of a 35-year-old woman outside of her Cleveland home on Christmas Day.
“This individual recklessly killed a mother outside of her home on Christmas Day and fled the scene,” said Prosecutor O’Malley. “That holiday will always remind the victim’s family of the tragic loss they have suffered.”
On December 25, 2019, the victim was dropped off by her aunt in front of her residence on W. 52nd St. near Kouba Avenue. At that time, Valentin drove his vehicle northbound on W. 52nd St. when he swerved onto a tree lawn, smashed into a utility pole, hit a tree, struck the victim dragging her across the driveway, and collided with a second utility pole before driving away. Cleveland Police (CPD) and EMS immediately responded to the scene, and the victim was transported to the hospital where she died from her injuries five days later.
The investigation conducted by CPD identified Valentin as the offender, and he was arrested at his Cleveland residence the day following the crash. Video surveillance and a license plate on the tailgate left at the scene were key pieces of evidence that linked Valentin to the crime.
Valentin pled guilty to the following charges:
•
One count of
Aggravated Vehicular Homicide
•
One count of
Failure To Stop After Accident
•
One count of
Attempted Tampering With Evidence
Valentin will be sentenced on Wednesday, May 13 at 8:30 a.m. at the Cuyahoga County Justice Center.