NEW CASTLE —
A New Castle man accused of killing a child with his truck will have a preliminary hearing in two weeks.
The hearing for Virgil Coonfare, 67, of West Moody Avenue, has been set for 1 p.m. Dec. 18 in Courtroom 1 at the Lawrence County Government Center.
Coonfare is charged with homicide by vehicle while under the influence, aggravated assault by vehicle while under the influence, and driving under the influence in connection with an accident Nov. 25.
According to New Castle police, Coonfare was traveling on Stanton Avenue that afternoon when he attempted to turn onto Winslow Avenue.
Police said Coonfare’s truck went up an embankment and into a yard where 7-year-old Octavius Stone and 9-year-old Ozzy Velez were playing.
The truck hit the two boys, fatally injuring Octavius. Ozzy also was injured, but he is home recovering.
Typically, preliminary hearings are conducted in the Lawrence County Central Court building across from the jail. Moving this hearing to the government center allows for greater security and more seating room.
This case has attracted considerable public interest with members of the community paying tribute to Octavius and conducting events to raise funds for his family.
Coonfare is free on bail while awaiting proceedings against him.
Updates
Related Photos
-
Virgil Eldon Coonfare, 66, of 920 Beckford St., is charged with homicide by vehicle while under the influence of a controlled substance, aggravated assault by vehicle and driving while under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance.
Discussion
Hearing rescheduled: Man accused of running over boys gets later court date
- Updates
-
-
Police: texting led to fatal accident
Police claim a woman’s texting on a cell phone contributed to a fatal accident earlier this month in Hickory Township. Laura E. Gargiulo, 42, of 2662 State Route 956, Volant, faces homicide by vehicle and other charges in connection with the May 7 death of Daniel E. Gallatin of Scott Township.
Continued ... -
Hillsville man dead following shooting
A Mahoning Township man involved in a weekend shooting has died. Joseph Lupo, 50, of 4812 W. Main St. in Hillsville was pronounced dead Thursday by the Mahoning County, Ohio, coroner’s office.
Continued ... -
Woman charged in fatal accident
A woman involved in a fatal accident in Hickory Township has been charged. Laura E. Gargiulo, 42, of 2662 State Route 956, Volant, faces charges of homicide by vehicle and others in the crash that led to the death of Daniel E. Gallatin of Scott Township.
Continued ... - Broken jaw leads to assault charge
- South Side robbery being probed
- Man reports being robbed on East Side
- Men riding four-wheelers help catch burglar suspects
- Police arrest South Side burglar suspects
- Wednesday
- Service will honor fallen officers
- Three city residents admit to drug ring role
- Man reported dead still alive
- Tuesday
- Suspect leads police on East Side chase
- Fire destroys mobile home
- Monday
- Prosecutors granted stay in Jordan Brown decision
- Suspect in officer’s death is arraigned
- Police: Man dies after husband, wife shoot each other
- Man accused of impeding firefighters
- Saturday
- East Sider facing theft charges
- South Side man faces gun charges
- Witness reports possible student abduction
- Friday
- Pedestrian’s death ruled suicide
- Neshannock Schools: Father concerned after alleged assault
- Pedestrian hit on I-376
- Woman accused in officer’s death waives extradition
- Thursday
- Man wanted in gun incident
-
