AKRON, Ohio — An Akron woman has agreed to plead guilty in connection with a funeral procession crash than killed her son and nephew nearly one year ago.
The Summit County Prosecutor's Office says 31-year-old Tynicka Allen admitted to two counts each of aggravated vehicular homicide and endangering children, all third-degree felonies. As part of the deal, several other charges were dropped, including five second-degree felonies that could have meant more prison time in the event of a conviction.
The case dates back to Oct. 6, 2022, when Allen's Chrysler 200 collided with a Chevrolet Impala on South Arlington Street and 6th Avenue during the funeral procession. Her 12-year-old son Tymar and 6-year-old nephew Trevond Walker Jr. were hanging out the window before being ejected from the vehicle, with both eventually succumbing to their injuries.
Authorities claimed Allen was driving "recklessly," but it would be more than three months before she was arrested. Following a formal indictment by a grand jury, she initially pleaded not guilty and was released from custody after posting 10% of a $20,000 bond this past April.
"It is unfortunate that in the moment, for whatever reason, she chose to conduct herself in that fashion," Lieutenant Michael Miller of the Akron Police Department told 3News after Allen was charged. "But specifically, to allow one or more children to hang out the car and those types of things.”
Immediately following the crash, others involved in the procession — which witnesses said saw multiple other cars swerving with people hanging out of windows — engaged in a scuffle that led to at least one bullet being fired. More gunshots rang out nearby and a 19-year-old man was injured, but later made a full recovery.
Summit County Common Pleas Judge Alison Breaux is scheduled to sentence Allen on Nov. 8. She faces up to 16 years behind bars.