Driver found guilty of crashing into Cleveland apartment, killing 69-year-old woman

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) - The jury in the trial for the driver accused of causing a deadly explosion at an apartment building in November 2023 found him guilty on Jan. 21.

Christopher Terry was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter, vehicular assault, failure to stop after an accident, and tampering with evidence,

Terry’s trial began Jan. 13 in front of Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas Judge Ashley Kilbane and he is scheduled to be sentenced on March 3.

Cleveland police said Terry, 40, was driving over 120 MPH when he lost control of his Dodge Challenger and crashed into an apartment building on E. 139th Street near Kinsman Road on Nov. 19, 2023.

Cleveland Fire Lt. Mike Norman said the crash compromised a gas line, causing the explosion.

The body of the victim, April Yarbrough, 69, was found the next morning.

Terry fled the scene after the crash.

He was arrested by the U.S. Marshals on Feb. 16, 2024 on Memphis Avenue in Cleveland.

PREVIOUS: Body of 69-year-old Cleveland woman found after apartment explosion; 2 firefighters injured

Below is previous coverage from 19 News on the day of the crash and explosion: