Trial continued for suspected impaired driver indicted for injuring woman in Amherst, killing dog

LORAIN COUNTY, Ohio (WOIO) - The bench trial for an Amherst man accused of driving drunk and hitting a 65-year-old woman and her dog, was scheduled to begin Tuesday in front of Lorain County Court of Common Pleas Judge Christopher Rothgery; however, it was continued to Nov. 19.

The woman, Jessica Paige, survived her injuries, but her dog, Ishe, was killed.

Animal rights activists protested outside the courthouse Tuesday morning.

Sean Bankston was indicted on the charges of:

• Felonious assault
• Cruelty to companion animals
• Aggravated vehicular assault
• Vehicular assault
• Failure to stop after an accident--two counts
• Violation of lanes of travel on roadways
• Operation in willful and wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property
• Tampering with evidence
• Obstructing official business

Amherst police said the crash happened at 3:06 p.m. on Dec. 20, 2025, near the intersection of Rome Beauty Drive and North Quarry Road.

Officers said Bankston was driving northbound on North Quarry Road when he struck Paige and Ishe, who were walking along the roadway.

Paige was taken to University Hospital Elyria Medical Center for treatment. Ishe was pronounced dead at the scene.

Bankston has two previous OVI convictions.