Tye David Miezejewski Obituary; Man from Ashland County Receives 7-10.5 Year Sentence for Deadly Accident that Claimed Life of 12-Year-Old Child

 James D. Taylor, a 55-year-old individual from Ashland, was sentenced on Monday, November 10, 2025, to serve a prison period ranging from seven to ten-and-a-half years for his involvement in the collision that resulted in the death of 12-year-old Tye David Miezejewski in 2024. Taylor entered a guilty plea to charges including aggravated vehicular homicide, involuntary manslaughter, and several counts of operating a vehicle while intoxicated (OVI) in connection with the tragic accident.

The incident took place on May 24, 2024, in Sullivan Township when Taylor, behind the wheel of a 2009 Chevrolet Silverado, hit Miezejewski, who was cycling along County Road 681. The collision occurred around 3:39 p.m. as Taylor's vehicle was heading southbound and struck the young cyclist, who was also traveling south on the road. Despite prompt medical response, Miezejewski, who was airlifted to Akron Children’s Hospital, unfortunately passed away two days later, on May 26, due to his injuries.

During the court proceedings, Taylor was defended by Attorney Patrick Michael Farrell, while the State of Ohio was represented by Assistant Prosecutor Christopher Tunnell. The prosecution emphasized the seriousness of the matter and the devastating impact of Taylor’s actions.

After evaluating the required sentencing guidelines and hearing victim impact statements, Judge Stimpert concluded that imprisonment was both necessary and fitting, ruling that community control would not be an appropriate option for Taylor. Consequently, the judge issued a sentence of seven to ten-and-a-half years, aligning with Ohio’s indefinite sentencing framework. Taylor may qualify for release after completing the minimum of seven years; however, the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (ODRC) reserves the right to prolong his stay if specific conditions arise.

Once released, Taylor must comply with 18 months to three years of mandatory post-release supervision. If he violates the terms of this supervision, he risks incurring additional prison time, which may extend to nine months for each infraction, as well as further incarceration if he commits another felony while under supervision.

Besides his prison term, Taylor has been ordered to cover court expenses and various fees related to his case, including a fee of $30 under R.C. 2949.091, a $25 fee under R.C. 120.36, and a $30 fee payable to the Ohio Treasurer in accordance with R.C. 2743.70. He is also obligated to pay $240 for pretrial drug and alcohol assessments. Taylor received 11 days of jail-time credit and will gain additional credit for the period he spent awaiting transfer to prison.

After the sentencing, Taylor was taken into custody by the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office, from where he will be relocated to the Lorain Correctional Institution Reception Center in Grafton for assessment and assignment to a state prison.

Taylor has a window of 30 days to submit an appeal if he chooses to do so, and the report regarding his pre-sentencing investigation has been sealed. The untimely passing of Tye David Miezejewski has resulted in grief for his family, friends, and the Sullivan Township community, with many expressing hope that this sentence will serve as a form of justice for the young boy whose life was so suddenly cut short.