Trial set for man charged in fatal West Chester motorcycle crash that killed mom of 3

The jury box in the newly completed super courtroom for large, length trials in Butler County Common Pleas Court.LAUREN PACK/Staff

The jury box in the newly completed super courtroom for large, length trials in Butler County Common Pleas Court.LAUREN PACK/Staff

A spring trial date has been set for a Cincinnati man charged with aggravated vehicular homicide and other felonies in a fatal West Chester Twp. motorcycle crash that killed a mother of three.

Samuel Ankrah, 38, was taken into custody after the crash that happened about 1:35 a.m. Sept. 10 on Ohio 747 near Duff Drive.

On Sept. 15, Ankrah was indicted for aggravated vehicular homicide, alleging he did not have a valid driver’s license at the time of the incident, aggravated vehicular assault, failure to stop after an accident — all felonies — and operating a vehicle under the influence, a first-degree misdemeanor.

Samuel Ankrah WEST CHESTER POLICE DEPARTMENT

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On Tuesday, Butler County Common Pleas Judge Dan Haughey set Ankrah’s trial to begin May 13. Ankrah is being held in lieu of $750,000 bond.

According to West Chester Police, Ankrah was driving a Mazda southbound on Ohio 747 when he struck a Harley Davidson motorcycle in the rear-end collision.

West Chester Police said in court documents Ankrah “admitted to officers that he consumed alcoholic beverages” before the crash.

Jessica Taleff, 27, a passenger on the motorcycle, died at the scene. The Butler County Coroner’s Office said Taleff died of multiple traumatic injuries.

Taleff’s husband, Galen, was driving the motorcycle and was injured in the crash. Jessica Taleff leaves behind three young children.

Jessica Taleef SUBMITTED

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