MASSILLON ‒ A 25-year-old driver will not have to spend any time in jail for a traffic crash that killed a motorcyclist a year ago as long as he meets conditions set by the judge in his case.
Judge Andrea M. Scassa sentenced Luca C. Stambaugh of Jackson Township in Massillon Municipal Court on July 22.
He pleaded no contest to a criminal charge of vehicular manslaughter in the death of Larry A. Jeffries Jr., a Jackson Township resident, from a crash that killed the 58-year-old motorcyclist on July 26, 2025.
He was also found guilty of two traffic offenses after pleading no contest to both: a turn violation and not wearing a seat belt, both minor misdemeanors. Vehicular manslaughter is a misdemeanor of the second degree.
A charge of vehicular homicide, a misdemeanor of the first degree, was dismissed as part of a plea agreement that included the sentence that was given.
Community service will promote traffic safety
Scassa gave Stambaugh a 90-day jail sentence, which she suspended on the conditions that he have no related offenses for five years and perform 60 hours of community service. His community service is to be done for the Stark County Sheriff Office’s Safe Communities program, which has the goal of reducing traffic fatalities. He has already completed a required remedial driving course.
Scassa ordered a one-year license suspension that started July 22, although limited driving privileges were granted for work and personal errands. She put eight points on his license and ordered payment of $846 in fines and court costs. He paid the amount in full on July 22.
Rachael Slagle, assistant city prosecutor, said the victim’s family recommended that Stambaugh’s community service involve traffic safety.
Former stepson: ‘He’s not coming back’
“Nothing’s going to change what’s happened,” said Jeffries’ former stepson, Richard Racey. “He’s not coming back. It’s left a huge hole in a lot of our lives.”
Racey said he felt bad for Stambaugh and encouraged him to take advantage of the time he has.
Stambaugh did not speak in court. His lawyer spoke on his behalf.
“This weighs on him as well,” said defense attorney Rick Pitinii. “This is an accident. There’s no ill will. Nobody goes out with any intention to cause an accident, let alone a death. When you’re driving on the street, any one of us could be in this situation.”
Judge: Motor vehicle death cases are the hardest ones heard in municipal court
Scassa said cases like Stambaugh’s are the hardest ones handled in municipal court for the reasons Pitinii cited.
She said that while defendants are typically charged with both vehicular manslaughter and vehicular homicide, convictions are usually obtained on only one of them, based on the evidence.
The collision occurred when Stambaugh was driving south on Frank Avenue NW in Jackson in a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado.
According to a crash report from the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Stambaugh tried to turn left onto Mega Street and The Strip shopping center from the right lane. His truck hit Jeffries, who was southbound in the left southbound lane of Frank on a 2000 Indian Chief motorcycle.
Jeffries died shortly afterward as the result of injuries suffered in the crash.
Racey, who said Jeffries had been his stepfather, said he and Jeffries had worked together in the testing industry. He said Jeffries was a “scary good” musician who played guitar and drums. The 41-year-old Canton resident said he and Jeffries maintained a close relationship even after Jeffries separated from his mother.
“He did more than most biological fathers do,” Racey said. He said Jeffries had survived the COVID-19 and SARS respiratory viruses. “He was literally Superman.”
Reach Nancy at 330-580-8382 or nancy.molnar@cantonrep.com. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter: @nmolnarTR.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Driver avoids jail for Jackson traffic crash that killed motorcyclist
Reporting by Nancy Molnar, Canton Repository / The Repository
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Nancy Molnar, Canton Repository | USA TODAY Network
