Justice Delayed but Not Denied: Family of Mark Ramsey Confronts Hit-and-Run Suspect in Court
Joe Lyons •
February 6, 2025
Justice Delayed but Not Denied: Family of Mark Ramsey Confronts Hit-and-Run Suspect in Court
Ashland, OH – Nearly three years after the tragic hit-and-run that took the life of Mark Ramsey, 63, of Mansfield, his family finally heard the suspect, Deltino J. Crain, admit to the crime. The long-awaited confession came during a Change of Plea Hearing before Ashland County Common Pleas Court Judge David Stimpert.
Ramsey was fatally struck on April 19, 2022, at 11:06 p.m. while standing next to his disabled pickup truck along U.S. Route 42 in Milton Township. The driver, later identified as Crain, fled the scene and evaded law enforcement for over two years.
Authorities had initially issued a public plea for help in locating the suspect vehicle, believed to be a silver Dodge pickup truck with damage to its front right side. It wasn’t until July 29, 2024, that Crain was arrested in connection with the case.
Crain was indicted on February 9, 2024, on two felony charges:
Aggravated Vehicular Homicide (Third-degree felony)
Failure to Stop After an Accident (Third-degree felony)
During the plea hearing, Ashland County Assistant Prosecutor Matthew Metcalf announced that the state would dismiss the first charge in exchange for Crain’s guilty plea to the second. The decision was based on the available evidence, which sparked strong emotions from Ramsey’s grieving family,.
Members of Ramsey’s family delivered heart-wrenching statements during the hearing, describing him as a kind-hearted man who dedicated his life to helping others. His brother, sister, and son expressed frustration over Crain’s attempt to escape justice and voiced concerns over the leniency of the plea deal.
Ramsey’s sister, Jennifer Howard, spoke about his generosity, recalling how he often helped strangers in need, including purchasing gas for a stranded motorist. “He deserved a hell of a lot better than what he got,” she said.
His brother added, “Now he’s willing to plead to hit-and-skip, but how about the murder behind it? He murdered a good man.”
Ramsey’s son, Anthony, emphasized that Crain’s prolonged evasion of authorities only deepened the family’s pain. “For two years you ran. To me, that ‘sorry’ didn’t mean nothing,” he stated.
Judge Stimpert informed Crain that he faces a prison sentence ranging from 9 to 36 months, with increments of nine months, as well as a maximum fine of $10,000 and a mandatory license suspension. Crain’s sentencing has been set for March 24, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.
While the family accepts the plea deal they remain frustrated and wish for a sentence that reflects the severity of Crain’s actions. “My brother deserves justice,” Howard said. “We will be there to see it through.”