The Third District Court of Appeals has upheld the maximum prison sentence for a defendant convicted of aggravated vehicular homicide following a fatal crash that claimed the life of 17-year-old Chloe Hodges in January 2024.
Briana Mohler, 33, of Lakeview, appealed her sentence in that case, arguing the Logan County Court of Common Pleas improperly considered factors outside of sentencing guidelines when imposing an 11- to 16 ½-year prison term.
However, in a decision issued on March 10, the appellate court affirmed the original ruling from Logan County Common Pleas Court Judge Kevin P. Braig, stating that the sentence was lawful and supported by the facts of the case.
Mohler filed the appeal on June 20, 2024, contending that her sentence was excessive and that the trial court improperly weighed the seriousness of the offense by considering Hodges’ death.
Her appeal also said, “the complexity of several elements of Mohler’s life, including a history of being a victim of abuse and her struggles with substance abuse, should have factored more heavily into the trial court’s sentence and should have resulted in the imposition of a lesser sentence,” according to the appellate court filing.
“The trial court also considered Mohler’s limited criminal history,” the appellate decision continues, “but noted that she has ‘demonstrated a pattern of drug and alcohol abuse related to the offense and refused to acknowledge that pattern or to successfully complete treatment prior to the offense.’ The trial court also acknowledged that, at the time of the incident, Mohler was out on bond in an aggravated-possession-of-drugs case, and the trial court described its decision to permit her to remain out on bond as a ‘mistake’ for which it “will always be sorry.'”
The case stemmed from a January 25, 2024, crash in which Mohler, who was under the influence of multiple drugs, crossed the center line and collided head-on with Hodges’ vehicle.
Mohler was indicted on four charges, including operating a vehicle under the influence; driving under suspension; aggravated vehicular homicide; and involuntary manslaughter. In April 2024, Mohler pleaded guilty to OVI, driving under suspension and aggravated vehicular homicide.
She was sentenced to 180 days in jail for OVI, and an indefinite prison term of 11 to 16 ½ years for aggravated vehicular homicide. Her sentences were ordered to run concurrently, and she was given a lifetime driver’s license suspension.
Ultimately, the appellate court found no merit in her claims. The ruling further cited Ohio sentencing statutes, noting that trial courts have discretion to impose sentences within statutory ranges. The court determined that the trial court properly considered the principles and purposes of sentencing, including the need to protect the public and punish the offender.