Crime & Safety

Richfield Woman Found Guilty in Hit-Skip Death of Bath Township Gas Station Manager

Woman and dog struck and killed while walking with boyfriend.

Jennifer Jilek, 30, of Richfield, will be sentenced next month in connection with a hit-skip that resulted in the death of and her dog.  

Kuzda, 37, of Richfield, was walking along Richlawn Drive at about 9:15 p.m. February 15 with her chocolate Labrador retriever and her boyfriend when she was struck by Jilek, who continued driving to her nearby home. Kudza's boyfriend was not injured.

Kuzda was assistant manager for the , where she had worked for the last two years.

Find out what's happening in Fairlawn-Bathfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

According to the Summit County Prosecutor's office, Jilek was found passed out at the bottom of a flight of stairs by Richfield Police. A subsequent blood test showed a blood alcohol level of over .30, four times the legal limit. Jilek's car, which had a smashed windshield, was parked in the driveway.

Jilek pleaded no contest Friday before Summit County Common Pleas Judge Alison McCarty to aggravated vehicular homicide, failing to stop after an accident two counts of driving under the influence. She faces a maximum sentence of 13 years in prison.

Find out what's happening in Fairlawn-Bathfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

McCarty found Jilek guilty of the charges and set sentencing for 2 p.m. June 3. 

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

More from Fairlawn-Bath