BY KYM LIEBLER
The Cincinnati Enquirer
LEBANON -- A man with three DUI arrests since 1995 has been indicted on a charge of involuntary manslaughter for a July 11 wreck that killed one man and injured another.
Robert Baker, 30, of Clarksville in Clinton County was also indicted Friday by a Warren County grand jury on charges of aggravated vehicular homicide, felony driving-under-the-influence and aggravated vehicular assault.
Warren County Prosecutor Tim Oliver announced the indictments Monday.
According to Mr. Oliver, Mr. Baker was driving a pickup around a curve on Clarksville Road in Washington Township at 12:34 p.m. when the truck careened down a steep embankment and hit a tree.
Paul Cundiff, 25, of New Vienna, who was sitting in the cab of the truck closest to the passenger-side window, was pronounced dead at the scene. Robert Mountjoy, 33, of Hillsboro, who was sitting between Mr. Baker and Mr. Cundiff, suffered serious injuries. Mr. Baker, who is being held in the Warren County Jail, was not seriously injured, Mr. Oliver said.
The speed limit on Clarksville Road is 55 mph, and Mr. Baker was driving 71 mph when he veered off the road, police said. He allegedly was under the influence of Darvocet, a prescription pain-killer, Mr. Oliver said.
Although Mr. Baker can be convicted of both aggravated vehicular homicide and involuntary manslaughter, he can be sentenced for only one of the charges, Mr. Oliver said.
Also Monday:
James H. Bennett, 20, of North Fairmount was indicted on one count each of rape and kidnapping, for allegedly attacking a guest at Paramount's Kings Island Aug. 8.
Mr. Bennett, a seasonal park employee, allegedly forced a 15-year-old girl into a restroom and raped her, Mr. Oliver said.
Mr. Bennett, who is being held in the Warren County Jail, faces 20 years in prison if convicted of both first-degree felony offenses.
Anthony L. Ward Jr., 20, of the 8300 block of Snider Road in Deerfield Township was indicted on a charge of growing marijuana on the roof of his Mason home.
Warren County sheriff's deputies obtained a search warrant and reported finding 316.85 grams of pot in plant form on the roof, Mr. Oliver said. Mr. Ward was indicted on one count each of illegal cultivation of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
