The Stark County man accused of hitting and killing a woman along US. Route 62 with his SUV has pleaded not guilty.

The Canton Repository reports 30-year old Richard Schreckengost Jr of Nimishillen Township appeared in Canton Muncipal Court today before Judge John Poulos to plead not guilty to misdemeanor charges of vehicular manslaughter among others for the death of Heather Smith of Uhrichsville.

On the morning of July 7, the 29-year old Smith was walking west from the Stark County Jail from which she had been released.  She was found dead along the road by a passerby later that morning.

The attorney for Schreckengost said his client thought he hit a deer and called police after learning  that someone had passed away.

The judge set a preliminary hearing next week on a felony charge of leaving the scene of an accident.

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