Wednesday, January 20, 1999
Driver with past indicted in fatality
Convicted in '88 for involuntary manslaughter
BY DAN HORN
The Cincinnati Enquirer
When he lived in Virginia more than 10 years ago, Mark K. Putnick had too much to drink one night and caused a fatal wreck.
Prosecutors in Hamilton County say he did the same thing here a few minutes past midnight on New Year's Day.
A grand jury indicted Mr. Putnick, 43, of Ross Township, on involuntary manslaughter charges Tuesday in connection with a fatal car crash on Ohio 128 in Crosby Township.
Prosecutor Mike Allen said the victim, Timothy Trader, was struck and killed on the roadside as he tried to help motorists involved in an earlier accident.
Mr. Allen described Mr. Trader as a “good Samaritan” who died because Mr. Putnick did not learn his lesson the first time his drinking caused a fatal accident.
“This person was convicted for almost the same exact offense,” Mr. Allen said. “That's why we are pursuing it so vigorously.”
Although his office has not received details about the incident, Mr. Allen said Mr. Putnick was convicted of a similar charge in 1988.
Mr. Putnick's attorney, Cathy Adams, confirmed a prior conviction for involuntary manslaughter but declined further comment.
The latest charges against Mr. Putnick include aggravated vehicular homicide and aggravated vehicular assault. If convicted on all counts, he faces five to 20 years in prison.
The assault charge stems from injuries suffered by Robert Bulach of Eaton, Ohio, in the same wreck. Prosecutors said Mr. Bulach, 20, also had stopped to help the stranded motorists when he, too, was struck.
Police have said Mr. Trader, 21, of Eaton, died when Mr. Putnick drove his Dodge van into the back of a parked Chevrolet Blazer.
Mr. Allen said Mr. Putnick appeared to be intoxicated and failed a sobriety test. He said Mr. Putnick refused to take a Breathalyzer test.
“He admitted to having five beers, and that was obvious when he failed the sobriety test at the scene,” Mr. Allen said. “He stated that he did not see the Blazer until he hit it.”
Mr. Allen said Mr. Putnick had a valid Ohio driver's license at the time of the accident.
He said it is unclear whether Mr. Putnick lost his driving privileges in Virginia or whether a similar prohibition should have applied in Ohio.
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