LISBON — A man accused of striking and killing a pedestrian who was walking across St. Clair Avenue in East Liverpool in 2023 entered a no contest plea and was found guilty of vehicular homicide.

Paul Steven Vojnovich, 69, Bank Street, East Liverpool, appeared Monday morning before Columbiana County Municipal Court Tim McNicol for what was supposed to be a status hearing, with county Assistant Prosecutor Jennifer Bonish indicating there was a plea.

She said there was no agreement in place for sentencing and asked that it be set for another day. Defense attorney Zachary Miller also requested a separate hearing for sentencing.

Sentencing was set for 2 p.m. Aug. 25, with McNicol saying that gives both sides time to submit any sentencing memorandums.

The accident occurred on April 7, 2023 when East Liverpool police officers responded to St. Clair Avenue near Cain Street for a pedestrian struck by a motor vehicle, with the victim identified as James Ross Schmitt, 76, of East Liverpool, who died.

According to the police affidavit, Vojnovich “acted negligently with a substantial lapse of due care when operating a motor vehicle.”

The affidavit also said Vojnovich was traveling in a motor vehicle on St. Clair Avenue when striking Schmitt crossing the street, resulting in Schmitt’s unlawful death.

At the time of the crash, East Liverpool police gave an indication that they did not believe alcohol or drugs were a factor.

The courtroom was filled on one side with family members of the late James Ross Schmitt, including his wife, Beth, while the other side was filled with family members of Vojnovich.

Bonish and Miller both said the misdemeanor charge carries a possible maximum sentence of up to six months in the county jail and a possible driver’s license suspension of one to five years.

The case had been scheduled for a jury trial next week, but that’s been cancelled.