Action Needed: Write Judge Collier Williams in cyclists crash sentencing

On November 9th. 2012 Gregory Schillo, 31, of Sagamore Hills, was driving a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee when he plowed into Tremont resident David Gamble who was riding his bicycle to work on the Lorain-Carnegie Bridge. As a result of the crash David is a quadriplegic. The evidence showed the defendant had been drinking high-alcohol beer the evening of the crash. Last week Schillo was found guilty of Aggravated Vehicular Assault and Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol.

Schillo denied all responsibility for the crash but the judge, Assistant County Prosecutor Andrew Rogalski, found him guilty of all charges. Now the defendant faces a mandatory prison term of one to five years. On June 27th at 9am Judge Cassandra Collier Williams will be sentences Schillo for his crime.

As a community of people who loves bikes, we encourage you to take a moment and write a letter to Judge Collier Williams before she hands down her sentence to let her know how crashes, like the one that has changed David’s life forever, affect the Cleveland cycling community and that you strongly encourages Schillo be sentenced appropriately for his crime. A sample letter outline can be downloaded here.  The Judge’s contact information is:

Judge Cassandra Collier Williams

Courtroom 23-A Justice Center

1200 Ontario St.

Cleveland, Ohio 44113

Please make sure all letters to the judge are received by the court no later than Friday, June 21st. You can either send the letter directly to the court or forward it to the Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, Mary Weston at mweston@prosecutor.cuyahogacounty.us.

The sentencing will take place on June 27th at 9am in the Justice Center (1200 Lakeside) in court room 23-A. If you are able to attend we encourage your to in solidarity for a fellow cyclist.