FAIRFIELD, Ohio-- A Fairfield firefighter was found guilty of vehicular manslaughter Tuesday in the August death of a 73-year-old woman.
Matt Schumann, 24, was sentenced to 90 days in jail suspended pending two years of probation, a $750 fine, a 90-day drivers' license suspension, 250 hours of community service and counseling until he is released by a physician.
Shumann also received a 30-day suspension from the fire department, which started 7 a.m. Tuesday, Fire Chief Don Bennett said.
"You can pay tribute to her by carrying on you life in an exemplary manner," Fairfield Municipal Judge Joyce Campbell said of the deceased woman.
On Aug. 2, just after 2 p.m., Schumann was driving a fire truck north on Ohio 4 responding to a reported structure fire with the vehicle's lights and siren activated. The fire truck and a car driven by Rayann Cavin collided in the Michael Lane intersection. Police said the signal there should have given Schumann a green light and stopped other traffic. Instead, the light malfunctioned and signaled both Schumann and Cavin to go through.
Fairfield Law Director John Clemmons said he agreed with Campbell's punishment.
"This resolves the criminal charges, I think appropriately," Clemmons said. "The city is comfortable with the outcome and sentencing, and think it's appropriate."
Defense attorney Harrison Green said the light had malfunctioned days prior to the accident. He wanted to use that information in a jury trial that was scheduled for Friday. However, Green said the judge ruled that information, along with the fire department's rules and procedures, was irrelevant.
"We were in a difficult position to defend," he said. "We acknowledge the accident and the fact someone died. We disagree with the judge's comment it was a lapse of judgement because that's not factual."
Green does not know if he will file an appeal of the judge's decision.
Cavin's family attorney Jeffrey Bakst commented on their behalf.
"It's been a very, very difficult time for them and they have truly suffered," Bakst said.
Republished with permission of the Hamilton Journal-News.
