Man under indictment for aggravated vehicular homicide arrested for speeding near Midview Elementary School

LORAIN COUNTY, Ohio (WOIO) - Lorain County Sheriff’s deputies arrest man under indictment for aggravated vehicular homicide for speeding in a school zone.

According to a Facebook post, on Jan. 10, deputies stopped Joshua Thompson for speeding in a school zone near Midview Elementary School.

Deputies said Thompson was driving with a suspended license from “an alleged OVI-related crash on July 7, 2024, that tragically claimed the life of an Elyria woman,” the post said.

That woman was 50-year-old Sherry Taylor. The deadly OVI crash happened at the intersection of N. Abbe Road and State Route 57 in July of 2024.

Police say 41-year-old Thompson was speeding, ran the red light, and crashed into Taylor’s car.

Penny Opdyke is Taylor’s sister and she has been fighting to keep Thompson locked up and off the roads.

“He is definitely a threat to society,” Opdyke said. “He does not need to be on these streets at all.”

So, you can imagine how she felt when she found out that Thompson was arrested again.

“I wasn’t surprised,” said Opdyke. “He’s a repeat offender. He has no respect for authority.”

Thompson is currently under indictment for aggravated vehicular homicide in connection to that incident, according to the report.

Deputies later found a loaded 9mm handgun and ammunition in his vehicle.

Since Thompson has a prior felony conviction, deputies said he was violating state and federal law by possession of a weapon.

“I mean come on now he killed my sister and you’re back behind the wheel again like it’s disgusting, it’s sickening,” Opdyke said. “Was I surprised that he got picked up again? Absolutely not because how many times has he been smacked on the wrist and let go?”

Thompson is facing several felony charges including, having weapons under disability and illegal possession of a deadly weapon in a school safety zone.

“I hope they look him up to where they can’t touch him ever again and he sits there until he goes to trial,” Opdyke said. “That’s what I’m praying for, and I hope that that’s the justice that I get.”

Thompson is currently being held in the Lorain County Jail without bond pending his case.