The Case

The Plain Dealer, May 14, 1999, Akron Police Seeking Driver in Fatal Hit-RunAkron Beacon Journal, May 18, 1999, Family, Akron Police Want Hit-Skip Driver Caught . .
Akron Beacon Journal, May 20, 1999, Police Charge Akron Man in Road Death . . .
The Plain Dealer, May 21, 1999, Police Pursue Man in Motorcyclist's Death
Akron Beacon Journal, May 22, 1999, Motorist Arrested in Fatal Hit-Skip Crash
The Plain Dealer, May 25, 1999, Man Charged in Death of Motorcyclist is Jailed
Akron Beacon Journal, September 30, 1999, Driver in Fatal Hit-Skip Gets Five Years
Tami's words to the court at sentencing
Larry's words to the court at sentencing

 

The Plain Dealer, May 14, 1999

AKRON POLICE SEEKING DRIVER IN FATAL HIT-RUN

Police are looking for the driver of a car that struck a motorcyclist Tuesday. The Akron man died the next day from his injuries.
Lawrence J. Caffro II, 22, of Shatto Ave., was driving his Kawasaki motorcycle south on Brown St. at 12:14 a.m. Tuesday when he saw a car driving north left of center, police said.
Two witnesses said Caffro attempted to evade the car by braking and swerving to the left. But he was sideswiped on his right side by the right side of the car.
The accident occurred at the intersection of Brown St. and Stanton Ave., where there is no stop sign or signal. Police said speed was not believed to be a factor. The speed limit was 25 mph.
Caffro suffered severe injuries to his right side and head. He was not wearing a helmet. He was removed from life support at Akron City Hospital on Wednesday afternoon and was pronounced dead at 2:20 p.m., police said.
Police said the witnesses were unable t! o tell how many people were in the car or what color it was. Police are looking for a light-colored medium- to full-size car built in the late 1980s or early 1990s. It would have damage to the right front and side. There was no evidence of broken glass or chrome at the scene, police said.
To provide any information, call (330) 375-2508.

Akron Beacon Journal, May 18, 1999

FAMILY, AKRON POLICE WANT HIT-SKIP DRIVER CAUGHT MOTORCYCLIST, 22, DIES OF HEAD INJURIES DAY AFTER CAR GOES LEFT OF CENTER ON BROWN STREET, STRIKES HIM

William Canterbury and Katie Byard, Beacon Journal staffwriters

It was the call in the middle of the night that parents dread. It has been a week since Larry and Sandy Caffro learned of their 22-year-old son's tragic accident. And they are still having an especially difficult time dealing with the death last Wednesday of Lawrence "J.C." Caffro.

That is because the driver whose car struck Caffro early Tuesday morning, causing his massive head injuries, has never been identified. Hit-skip detectives with the Akron police said yesterday they have few clues, other than statements from witnesses indicating the car driver -- who was northbound on Brown Street -- went left of center into the southbound path of Caffro's motorcycle near Stanton Avenue in South Akron.

The driver then turned right onto Stanton and kept going.

For the Caffros, it was too much of a revisitation of a tragedy four years ago.

On Nov. 4, 1994, J.C.'s grandparents, Samuel and Rosemarie Caffro, were killed in a car accident on their way home from watching their grandson's last high school football game. J.C. Caffro played for Columbiana High School. "Somebody went left of center and hit them," Larry Caffro said yesterday, "so it's been like deja vu for us."

Larry Caffro, who was recently named principal of Ashland High School, said yesterday that he does have one thing to feel fortunate about -- the family all shared Mother's Day together. J.C. had gone to Ashland to visit them. His sister was visiting, too. They all had dinner and helped move some things from a temporary apartment into a home the parents had bought. "And when he left, he hugged us all and told us he loved us and that's the last time we saw him," the father said. The next time they saw their son was at Akron City Hospital.

Police are looking for a light-colored, larger car with damage on the right front and possibly the right side, said hit-skip officer Ben Urdiales. Anyone who may have witnessed the accident or has any information about such a damaged car may call his office at 330-375-2508. A pedal of the motorcycle may have scraped the right side of the car, police said.

"We want the other person caught," Larry Caffro said yesterday. "It's pretty hard to understand how someone can run an individual down and just keep on going. An accident's an accident, you can accept that. But you can't accept deserting the scene."

Caffro was not wearing the helmet he normally wore because he was just going a short distance -- from dropping a love letter off at the home of his girlfriend, Amanda Viano. Then he was headed down Brown to his home in Firestone Park, friends said. Caffro had moved to Akron to attend the University of Akron, although he was not enrolled this past semester. Friends said he wanted to take time to figure out what he wanted to study.

From the time of the accident early Tuesday morning until he died late Wednesday, Caffro's friends and family members kept a vigil at his bedside. Those friends included fraternity brothers and co-workers from Akron General Medical Center, where Caffro worked in transportation. "He had the biggest heart you could find," said Billy Rae, 23, a Phi Delta Theta fraternity friend. "He was loving and tender. It shouldn't have happened. The worst things happen to the wrong people. Somebody killed the man and they didn't even know they did this," Rae said of the lapse of time between the accident and Caffro's death. Rae said of the hospital visits: "We talked to him, but he couldn't talk. Everybody got to say good-bye. That's what was important."

Another fraternity brother, Mike Donley, 21, who called his friend a natural leader, said he had seen Caffro 15 minutes before the accident when Caffro stopped by his house. "I have never seen him on a motorcycle without a helmet before that night," he said.

Phi Delta President Andrew Turning, 21, said Caffro "'was just a gentle giant. This guy was a huge football player type person, yet he had the softest voice and never instigated a fight with anyone. He was just a caring and gentle guy."

Caffro had been a Boy Scout, having made Eagle rank, and was Division VI first team All-Ohio center in football, a member of the National Honor Society and vice president of his high school class.

Contributions may be made to the J.C. Caffro Memorial Fund at Citizens Bank of Columbiana, 104 S. Main St., Columbiana, OH 44408.

Akron Beacon Journal, May 20, 1999

POLICE CHARGE AKRON MAN IN ROAD DEATH MAN BELIEVED RESPONSIBLE FOR KILLING MOTORCYCLIST HASN'T BEEN FOUND YET, BUT CAR HAS BEEN RECOVERED

William Canterbury, Beacon Journal staff writer

Akron police have charged a driver in the motorcycle accident last week that killed a former University of Akron student. They have also found the car they believe went left of center and struck the motorcyclist.

Several tips from citizens who saw news accounts of the accident helped police to find the auto and identify the driver as Eric L. Moore, 18, of Hilbish Avenue in Akron, said Traffic Sgt. Glenn McHenry.

Moore has not been arrested because officers haven't been able to find him. However, McHenry said a warrant was issued charging Moore with aggravated vehicular homicide, involuntary manslaughter, leaving the scene of an accident, driving under suspension, reckless operation and going left of center.

Witnesses told police a light-colored, large model car swerved left of center while driving north on Brown Street at Stanton Avenue. It went into the path of motorcyclist Lawrence "J.C." Caffro, 22, of Akron, who was headed south on Brown.

The accident occurred early the morning of May 11, and Caffro, who suffered head injuries, remained in a coma until he was pronounced dead the afternoon of May 12 at Akron City Hospital.

The recovered car was a white 1984 Pontiac 6000 four-door, McHenry said. It was found parked on the street near Morgan and Neptune avenues.

Acknowledging the public's help in locating the car and learning the identity of the alleged driver, McHenry said he hopes citizens will alert police to Moore's whereabouts.

Caffro, who played football and track at Columbiana High School in Columbiana, had been a UA student and was planning to re-enroll as a senior to study in a medical field. He was working as a transporter of patients at Akron General Medical Center, according to his father, Larry Caffro.

It was uncommon for Caffro to be without his helmet, but the night he was hit, he was going only a short distance, friends said.

Caffro's father, who lives in Ashland, was relieved yesterday to hear that a suspect had been identified. "Part of the whole thing is we need this for closure for the family to move on, and that will help," he said. "Obviously, we want justice, not revenge, and that's going to be something for us. Of course, we'd rather have our son." The father also said that insurers told the family that unless the person responsible for the accident could be identified, only a limited amount of insurance would be available to cover the funeral and hospital expenses.

A memorial fund that the family established in Caffro's name will be used to create a scholarship fund at Columbiana High School. Any excess will be spent on a memorial in his name at the new high school, which is to open next January, the elder Caffro said.

Contributions may be made to the J.C. Caffro Memorial Fund at Citizens Bank of Columbiana, 104 S. Main St., Columbiana, OH 44408.

The Plain Dealer, May 21, 1999

POLICE PURSUE MAN IN MOTORCYCLIST'S DEATH

Karen Farkas Plain Dealer Reporter

Police believe an 18-year-old Akron man with a suspended driver's license and five outstanding warrants was driving the car that killed a motorcyclist last week.
Warrants were issued Wednesday for Eric L. Moore, of Hilbish Ave. He was charged with aggravated vehicular homicide, involuntary manslaughter, leaving the scene of an accident, driving under suspension, reckless operation and driving left of center.
Moore was identified through tips to police, said Sgt. Glenn McHenry of the traffic bureau. Police had asked for information after the accident that killed Lawrence J. Caffro II of Akron on May 11.
Caffro, 22, of Shatto Ave., was driving his Kawasaki motorcycle south on Brown St. at 12:14 a.m. when he tried to avoid a car driving left of center. Police said witnesses told them the right side of the car sideswiped Caffro at Brown and Stanton Ave.
Caffro, who was not wearing a helmet, suffered severe injuries to h! is right side and head. He died the next day.
Two witnesses told police they saw a light-colored car hit the motorcycle, but they could provide few details about the car or the driver.
McHenry said police have recovered a white 1984 Pontiac 6000 that they believe was in the accident. It was parked on the street near Morgan and Neptune avenues, a few blocks from the scene of the accident and a couple of miles from Hilbish Ave.
McHenry said the car had damage to its right front bumper and fender.
McHenry said Moore's outstanding warrants are for failing to appear in court for traffic and misdemeanor offenses. He also said Moore knows police are hunting for him in Caffro's death.
Copyright 1999, 2002 The Plain Dealer. All Rights Reserved. Used by NewsBank with Permission.
Record Number: 10141051

 

Akron Beacon Journal, May 22, 1999

MOTORIST IS ARRESTED IN FATAL HIT-SKIP CRASH

The driver charged in a May 11 accident that killed a former University of Akron student surrendered to police yesterday. Eric L. Moore, 18, of Hilbish Avenue in Akron was charged in the fatal hit-skip that killed Lawrence "J.C." Caffro, 22, of Akron.

Witnesses told police a light-colored large-model car swerved left of center while driving north on Brown Street at Stanton Avenue. It went into the path of Caffro's motorcycle.

Moore was charged Thursday, but could not be located. Akron Police Sgt. Glenn McHenry said in a news release that Moore turned himself in because of the news reports.

Caffro died of head injuries May 12 at Akron City Hospital.

The Plain Dealer, May 25, 1999

MAN CHARGED IN DEATH OF MOTORCYCLIST IS JAILED

An 18-year-old man who allegedly hit a motorcyclist with his car and then drove away was in Summit County Jail yesterday on a $250,000 bond.
Eric L. Moore, of Hilbish Ave. in Akron, surrendered to police Friday night, two days after warrants were issued for his arrest in the death on May 11 of Lawrence J. Caffro II. Moore was charged with aggravated vehicular homicide, involuntary manslaughter, leaving the scene, driving under suspension, reckless operation and driving left of center.
Caffro, 22, of Shatto Ave. in Akron, was hit by a car he had tried to avoid. The car did not stop. Caffro died the next day of side and head injuries.
Witnesses were unable to identify the car or driver, but Moore was identified through tips to police, said Sgt. Glenn McHenry of the traffic bureau. McHenry said yesterday that Moore told himpublicity of the accident and the warrant for his arrest helped him decide to surrender.
Police s! ought a high bond at Moore's arraignment Saturday. McHenry said Moore has "for all practical purposes, no permanent address or no permanent job."

Akron Beacon Journal, September 30, 1999

DRIVER IN FATAL HIT-SKIP GETS 5 YEARS

Dennis McEaneney, Beacon Journal staff writer

An 18-year-old Akron man was sentenced to five years in prison yesterday for a May 11 hit-skip traffic accident that killed a motorcyclist.

Summit County Common Pleas Judge Ted Schneiderman also fined Eric Moore $1,000 and suspended his driver's license for life.

In a plea bargain, Moore pleaded guilty Sept. 3 to aggravated vehicular homicide and attempted tampering with evidence.

When he was indicted in late May, Moore was charged with aggravated vehicular homicide, involuntary manslaughter, tampering with evidence, driving under suspension, failing to stop after an accident, reckless operation and failing to stop at a stop sign.

Five of the charges were dismissed in the plea bargain.

Schneiderman sentenced Moore to 18 months in prison for the attempted tampering with evidence charge. That sentence is to run concurrently with the five years for aggravated vehicular homicide.

Moore ran the stop sign at Brown Street and Stanton Avenue and crashed into a motorcycle driven by Lawrence Caffro, 22.

Caffro died the next day of injuries he suffered in the crash.

Moore fled the crash scene but turned himself in to police May 21.

He admitted painting the bumper of his car and removing tint from windows to hide the car from authorities, according to prosecutors.

Police said tips from citizens who saw news accounts of the accident helped them find Moore's car where he had left it at Morgan and Neptune avenues.