Suspected drunk driver formally charged for injuring woman, killing dog

AMHERST, Ohio — An Ohio man accused of driving drunk and hitting a 65-year-old woman and her dog has been formally charged.

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A Lorain County Grand Jury indicted 34-year-old Sean Bankston of Amherst on a total of 10 counts, CBS affiliate WOIO-19 reported.

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The indictment stems from a crash that happened around 3:06 p.m. on Dec. 20, 2025, near the intersection of Rome Beaty Drive and North Quarry Road.

Bankston was traveling northbound on North Quarry Road when he struck a 65-year-old Amherst resident who was walking their dog along the roadway, according to a previous News Center 7 report.

The victim was identified as 65-year-old Jessica Paige of Amherst.

Paige was hospitalized with serious injuries, and her dog was killed, WOIO-19 reported.

Neighbors told WOIO-19 that Paige was thrown about 20 feet and was rushed to the hospital for treatment. Her dog was pronounced dead at the scene.

Bankston was indicted on the following charges:

  • Felonious assault
  • Cruelty to companion animals
  • Aggravated vehicular assault
  • Vehicular assault
  • Failure to stop after an accident--two counts
  • Violation of lanes of travel on roadways
  • Operation in willful and wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property
  • Tampering with evidence
  • Obstructing official business

He is currently being held on a $250,000 bond and will be arraigned on Thursday.

Bankston has two previous OVI convictions.

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