Cleveland man pleads guilty to running red light, causing fatal crash

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – A 28-year-old Cleveland man pleaded guilty to causing a fatal crash on the city’s east side in July.

Cleveland police said Jerrod White was speeding eastbound on St. Clair Avenue when he ran a red light at East 110th Street around 5:30 a.m. on July 21.

Gerrod White((Source: Cuyahoga County Sheriff))

White’s car crashed into a Ford Explorer that was traveling on East 110th Street and had a green light.

The impact caused the Explorer to overturn and catch fire.

The driver, Crystal Mathis-Aaron, was ejected and seriously injured, according to a police report.

Mathis-Aaron’s front seat passenger was pronounced dead at the scene. She has been identified as 50-year-old Lakeita Simmons.

Crystal Mathis-Aaron/Lakeita Simmons((Source: Friends))

Minutes before the fatal crash, White also allegedly drove past an ambulance with its lights and sirens on.

White pleaded guilty to aggravated murder and vehicular assault.

He will be sentenced Dec. 19 by Cuyahoga County Circuit Judge Kathleen Ann Sutula.