Evans denies drinking

WOOSTER -- A teary Richard Curtis Evans took the stand Tuesday in his defense against allegations he was drunk when he was in a crash Dec. 23 that claimed the life of a Wooster woman.

"I couldn't stop man," Evans said as he teared up in Wayne County Common Pleas Court during direct examination. "I didn't think it was a vehicle. ... I can't explain why I left."

Evans, 50, last known address of 2828 Eastern Road, Rittman, has been charged with aggravated vehicular homicide, aggravated vehicular assault, vehicular assault and operating a vehicle while under the influence.

The charges stem from a crash Dec. 23 when Melanie Wickens, 39, Wooster, was pronounced dead following a 10:09 p.m. crash at Oak Hill Road and Wayne Avenue in Wooster.

Evans was driving the vehicle that crashed into Wickens' vehicle, which was southbound on Oak Hill Road.

According to the crash report, Evans was westbound on Wayne Avenue when he crossed into the eastbound lane and passed several cars. He entered the intersection with Oak Hill and collided with Wickens' vehicle.

She was pronounced dead at the scene.

On Tuesday, Evans testified to drinking no more than one beer while at his brother-in-law's house in Wooster before running errands. At about 10 p.m., he said, the vehicle's check engine light came on while traveling along west Wayne Avenue.

Evans said despite his best efforts to brake or downshift the 2006 Chevrolet Trail Blazer, he could not stop the vehicle. He testified he swerved into the eastbound lane to avoid rear-ending one vehicle, but continued through the intersection of Oak Hill Road. He stated he "observed lights," but was not sure what they were.

Evans was adamant the vehicle did not swerve and tailspin, as described during testimony of two troopers with the Ohio State Highway Patrol and a retired trooper who served as a private crash reconstructionist.

He stated he drank the rest of an unidentified liquid from a cup; he testified he was sure it was water, but apparently told his insurance agent it was Grey Goose vodka following the crash.

Evans also testified he did not recall telling law enforcement he had been drinking at a bar earlier in the day. Video from the bar obtained by the Wooster Police Department did not show Evans at the establishment.

"I was not drunk ... I was in pain but I was sober," Evans said.

He stated he never felt unsure of his driving and at one point said, "I never drank and drove ever," since losing a friend to drunken driving several years ago.

His now-wife, then girlfriend, Amy Evans testified she did not see Evans drinking and she did not think they hit another vehicle.

"I thought we were OK. ... I thought we just hit the embankment. ... I didn't believe we hit it that hard, there was no airbags deployed," Evans' wife testified Tuesday.

She added she fell asleep in the vehicle after drinking and awoke to Evans putting his arm across her and stating, "Babe I can't stop."

Data collected from the Trail Blazer indicated five seconds before the crash the vehicle was traveling 71 mph on Wayne Avenue, near Arthur Drive, and the brakes were engaged. Crash reconstructionist Henry Lipian testified the sharp deceleration of the vehicle indicates it had started to experience tire slip and was beginning to fish tail, before the rear passenger's side of the vehicle struck Wickens' vehicle directly in the driver's side door.

Assistant Prosecutor Jodie Schumacher questioned Evans' testimony at several points, since it appeared he told law enforcement a different story the night of the crash than in court Tuesday.

The night of the crash, Evans could be heard during a recording of his field sobriety tests saying he had not driven since an MRI. He also told the insurance agent after the crash his niece was driving the vehicle.

Evans is represented by Andrew Hyde.

The trial continues today with closing arguments. The case is being heard by Judge Mark K. Wiest.

Reporter Steve Huszai can be reached at 330-287-1645 or [email protected]. He is @GeneralSmithie on Twitter.