In Ohio’s Lakota Local School District, there were two crashes involving students walking to and from school. One of the students, Aspen Runnels, died after being hit in a crosswalk in 2024. In response, two Ohio House Representatives introduced HB 203, titled ‘Aspen Runnels Law’. The Bill proposes to increase penalties for vehicular manslaughter and vehicular assault when a death or serious physical harm is the proximate result of speeding or committing a minor misdemeanor traffic offense in an active school zone.
Proposed Changes to Vehicular Manslaughter in Ohio
Vehicular Manslaughter is defined by Ohio Revised Code section 2903.06(A)(4). That statute currently prohibits causing the death of another person as a proximate result of committing a minor misdemeanor traffic violation. Vehicular Manslaughter is currently a second-degree misdemeanor and is punishable by a jail term of up to 90 days, a fine of up to $750, probation for up to five years, and a mandatory driver’s license suspension of three months to two years.
House Bill 203 proposes to add two additional ways a person can commit Vehicular Manslaughter: speeding or committing a minor misdemeanor traffic violation within an active school zone. A school zone is active when school zone speed limit signs are erected and children are arriving/leaving or are at recess.
This type of Vehicular Manslaughter would be a fourth-degree felony punishable by a prison term of up to 18 months, a fine of up to $5,000, probation for up to five years, and a mandatory driver’s license suspension of two years to ten years. In addition, a defendant would be required to complete a remedial driving course before reinstating their driver’s license.
Proposed Changes to Vehicular Assault in Ohio
Vehicular Assault is defined by Ohio Revised Code section 2903.08 and may be categorized as a felony or misdemeanor. The misdemeanor version is committed when a person causes serious physical harm to another person as a proximate result of committing a speeding offense in a construction zone. This type of Vehicular Assault is a first-degree misdemeanor punishable by a mandatory jail term of seven days to 180 days, a fine of up to $1,000, probation for up to five years, and a mandatory driver’s license suspension of one year to five years.
House Bill 203 proposed to add two additional ways a person can commit Vehicular Assault: speeding or committing a minor misdemeanor traffic violation within an active school zone. This type of Vehicular Assault would be a fifth-degree felony punishable by a prison term of up to 12 months, a fine of up to $2,500, probation for up to five years, and a mandatory driver’ license suspension of one year to five years. In addition, a defendant would be required to complete a remedial driving course before reinstating their driver’s license.
The Status of House Bill 203
The Bill passed in the Ohio House of Representatives on March 25, 2026. It has been introduced in the Ohio Senate and will soon be the subject of testimony in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
About the Author: Shawn Dominy is a leading DUI/OVI lawyer in Ohio and the founder of the Dominy Law Firm in Columbus, Ohio. The Dominy Law Firm is recognized in Best Law Firms In America® for DUI defense and criminal defense and holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.
Shawn Dominy is the past President of the Ohio Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the state delegate to the National College for DUI Defense and a founding member of the national DUI Defense Lawyers Association. He is rated “AV Preeminent” by Martindale Hubbel®, was named by SuperLawyers® as one of the top 50 lawyers in Columbus, Ohio, and is recognized in Best Lawyers In America®for DUI defense and criminal defense.
Shawn Dominy authored the Ohio DUI/OVI Guide, the Ohio Vehicular Homicide Guide, and the Ohio Vehicular Assault Guide. He also wrote a chapter of Defending DUI Vehicular Homicide Cases (2012, West/Aspatore) and contributed a section of Drunk Driving Defense, 9th Edition (2021, Walters Kluwer). His magazine articles have been featured in state and national publications, and he is a frequent speaker at seminars in which he teaches other lawyers about DUI/OVI, serious vehicular crimes, and trial skills.
Shawn Dominy can be reached through his law firm’s website: Dominy Law Firm.
