ELYRIA, Ohio — It was a very emotional afternoon at the Lorain County Court of Common Pleas Thursday, as an Elyria man was sentenced for killing a mother while driving drunk.
Logan Townsley was convicted for crashing into the back of 30-year-old Kaylie Eskins' car nearly two years ago, killing her and seriously injuring her then one-year-old son who was with her.
On Thursday, a judge sentenced Townsley to eight years in prison for aggravated vehicular homicide, aggravated vehicular assault, and operating a vehicle under the influence. The judge explained that he could serve up to 11 years if his behavior in prison isn't good.
It was back on March 29, 2022, that a drunk 22-year old Townsley rear-ended Eskins' vehicle while going over 140 miles per hour. According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, a call for a two-vehicle crash came in at around 1 a.m. near the intersection of West Ridge Road and Dellefield Road in Elyria Township.
Eskins, just 30 years old, died on the scene. Her then 1-year-old son in the car with her was seriously injured and eventually flown to a hospital in Cleveland.
Thursday in court, a tearful Townsley apologized to the victim's family.
"There's no words that can make up for what I've caused for you guys," he said. "I made a horrible decision, and I did wrong."
Eskin’s distraught mother shared her heart.
"I just know I lost my daughter — a good person, a loving mother, a good wife," she expressed. "I miss her dearly every day."
After being granted permission by the judge, Kaylie's widower John spoke directly to Townsley as he was being escorted out of the courtroom in handcuffs
"I know it was a horrible night that night, and I forgive you for what you've done," he said to Townsley. "I just want you to reflect [on] that woman, what you took from this little boy, OK? I'm not saying you're a bad person. I'm not saying that at all. I'm not going to come in here and talk down on anybody, but just think about what you did because the things that I had to be left with. That little boy is torn up, and I have to live with that the rest of my life as a single father. I care about you, and I wish the best for you. Whenever you get out of here, I want you to do right. That's all I want."
"Yes, sir," Townsley responded. "I appreciate that very much."
Townsley further told John Elkins he had already been reflecting since the fatal crash happened, and shared some of his future plans.
"I've even talked to my friends and stuff, and I do want to do something eventually to go and talk to high school students and stuff like that, make them realize that it can be you," Tonwsley said. "I've always heard stuff and I was one of those that always thought it won't be me, and here I am. I hope that one day I can make other people realize that it can be them. Even if it only changes a couple lives, that's more than enough."
"I'm proud of you for that," Elkins responded.
In addition to the eight-year prison sentence, the judge also suspended Townsley's driver's license for the rest of his life.