CLEVELAND — A 59-year-old Richmond Heights man entered a guilty plea for his role in the 2023 crash on I-90 that caused the death of a 22-year-old Cleveland woman.
According to the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office, James Farley pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated vehicular homicide. Wednesday's guilty plea by Farley came on the same day that his trial had been scheduled to begin. Sentencing has been set for Feb. 6.
The multi-vehicle crash happened on March 1, 2023, on I-90 East near West 25th Street in Cleveland.
Police said it was around 2:02 p.m. when Farley's 2013 Bentley Continental, traveling "at a high rate of speed," collided with the rear of a 2019 Jeep Wrangler.
"The force of the impact caused the Jeep to roll over, ejecting a 22-year-old female passenger of the Jeep on to the road," according to the Cleveland Division of Police.
The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's Office identified the victim as Samantha Nelson of Cleveland.
Farley was also taken to MetroHealth Medical Center "with multiple injuries."
Prior to the accident, the Ohio Department of Transportation captured the 2013 Bentley on video allegedly racing with a red Honda Civic on I-90 East. Cleveland police say that both vehicles were driving “well in excess” of the 60 MPH speed limit. The red Honda Civic made no contact with the vehicles in the crash and did not remain on scene.
Farley was originally indicted in April on charges of aggravated vehicular manslaughter, vehicular homicide, and vehicular manslaughter.
Tyler Carey, Ryan Haidet and Anna Meyer contributed to this story
