CLEVELAND – Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael C. O’Malley announced that Sabra Tolliver, 33, was sentenced to 10 to 12 years in prison for hitting and killing a construction worker, 61, and hitting another worker, 25, on I-71 in October 2019.

“This victim was working on his birthday to provide for his family. He was tragically killed, and another victim was seriously injured, due to this individual’s selfish actions. Our thoughts remain with the victims’ families, friends, and coworkers.”

Prosecutor Michael C. O’Malley

On October 9, 2019, Tolliver drove through a construction zone on I-71 near the Snow Road exit ramp and struck both victims. The 25-year-old victim was thrown underneath a truck parked on the shoulder of the highway. The 61-year-old victim was dragged underneath Toliver’s vehicle for more than 1,200 feet before she came to a stop. She quickly accelerated and fled southbound on the highway. A co-worker who witnessed the incident followed her in his vehicle to a nearby restaurant on Bagley Road in Middleburg Heights. Police were called and Tolliver was arrested. Emergency Medical Services responded to the crime scene and pronounced the 61-year-old victim deceased. The 25-year-old victim – who suffered broken bones in his face, legs, and shoulder, and required staples to his head – was transported to the hospital for treatment.

An investigation was conducted by the Brook Park Police Department, Ohio State Highway Patrol, and Middleburg Heights Police Department, with assistance from the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office. The investigation revealed that Tolliver’s Blood Alcohol Concentration Level was over twice the legal limit and cannabinoids were in her system at the time of the crash. Highway video surveillance captured the incident and helped linked Tolliver to the crime.

She previously pleaded guilty to the following charges:

  • One count of Aggravated Vehicular Homicide
  • One count of Aggravated Vehicular Assault
  • One count of Failure To Stop After Accident
  • One count of Driving While Under the Influence

Tolliver was sentenced today to a range of 10 to 12 years in prison. She was sentenced under “The Reagan Tokes Law,” which implements an indefinite sentencing system for non-life felonies of the first and second degree in which the judge imposes both a minimum term (from the current sentencing range) and a maximum term (that includes an additional 50% of the minimum term imposed). The Ohio Department of Corrections will review the case and Tolliver’s behavior after she has served 10 years and will make a determination as to whether she should be released.