Sentencing for driver guilty of crashing into Cleveland apartment, killing 69-year-old woman

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – The driver convicted of causing a deadly explosion at an apartment building in November 2023 was sentenced Monday in Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas.

On Jan. 21, a jury found Christopher Terry guilty of involuntary manslaughter, vehicular assault, failure to stop after an accident, and tampering with evidence.

Terry, who still says he was not the driver of the car that traveled up to 120 miles per hour, was sentenced to nine years in prison, which could be elevated to 12 years based on behavior.

Terry’s trial began Jan. 13 in front of Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas Judge Ashley Kilbane.

Cleveland police said Terry, 40, was driving over 120 MPH when he lost control of his Dodge Challenger and crashed into an apartment building on E. 139th Street near Kinsman Road on Nov. 19, 2023.

Cleveland Fire Lt. Mike Norman said the crash compromised a gas line, causing the explosion.

The body of the victim, April Yarbrough, 69, was found the next morning.

Terry fled the scene after the crash.

He was arrested by the U.S. Marshals on Feb. 16, 2024 on Memphis Avenue in Cleveland.

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Below is previous coverage from 19 News on the day of the crash and explosion:

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