This tragedy hits close to home - the victim, Christopher Lynn Smith, was my son's father and my best friend. He was innocently walking when he was struck and killed by a negligent driver. The pain this has caused our family is indescribable. Unfortunately, in a shocking turn of events, the careless driver involved is not being charged and is essentially getting away with murder.

Sunday, June 23, 2024, Chris was baptized giving his life to our Lord and Savior. Tragically, June 27, 2024, at approximately 10:37 PM Chris was horrifically and unjustly taken from us. In just a blink of an eye an everything shattered.

This incident is not an isolated case. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicates that in 2019, there were 6,205 pedestrian fatalities in traffic crashes in the US – a 5% increase from the previous year (NHTSA, 2020). These figures show how our legal system often fails to hold negligent drivers accountable for their actions’ devastating consequences. 

It's possible to prevent some of the common causes of pedestrian accidents. While no one can control another person's behavior, there are other issues that could increase pedestrian safety by just addressing them.

Christopher Lynn Smith was horrifically struck and killed by Jessica R. Sauder in Paulding, Ohio. Driver was operating the vehicle under registration block suspension placed by two Ohio counties- Defiance 2022 and Van Wert 2024. Driver admits in accident statement to vehicle "not having back brakes." Brake lines altered "pinched off" to prevent leakage. Back brakes in non-optimal condition would fail to provide proper response causing a delayed stop time for vehicle.

Toxicology results also indicate Jessica R. Sauder tested positive for marijuana which is recreationally legal for the average person in state of Ohio but not legal usage for someone in the drug court program in lieu of conviction. Along with the marijuana, she also tested positive for prescription suboxone. Let's face it, suboxone (legal heroin) is known for prescription abuse. Why are we allowing drug court offenders to do legal heroin to get off opioids? Both of the chemicals would slow driver reaction time. Driver couldn't stop in time to prevent fatal collision or was she too chemically altered to react appropriately?

Jessica R. Sauder, with blatant disregard of her fellow citizens safety, decided to go on an illegal intoxicated joyride on a suspended license. Her negligent actions unjustly caused the horrific death of Christopher Lynn Smith but has not received any repercussions for said actions. Paulding County Drug court is allowing offenders to repeatedly violate without consequence. Essentially getting away with murder.

No new charges! No fault for accident! No probation violation! Since when are criminal offenders above the law? This is justice? Enabling "recovering addicts" to continue reckless behaviors, hurting innocent bystanders and blaming it on the victim. Where is the accountability? How many chances are too many? What happened to the three-strike rule? 

This matter cannot be ignored, as delayed justice is no justice at all! The longer Jessica R. Sauder walks free, the longer the community is marked by the shadow of this injustice. Pedestrians lives and rights matter! We are calling on local law enforcement and our justice system to properly investigate this case and charge the driver for their horrendous act. We demand justice for our loved one and an end to the leniency often shown to drivers who kill or injure pedestrians due to their negligent actions.

We want harsher punishment for pedestrian accidents fatalities to provide justice for those gone far too soon. A bargain with the prosecutor looks like justice denied for Chris and all of us. Please stand with us in demanding justice for our dearly departed. Sign this petition.,