Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 48-year-old Allen Stirling of Lancaster has been arraigned on one count of Criminally Negligent Homicide, a Class “E” felony, one count of Intimidating a Victim or Witness in the Third Degree, a Class “E” felony, and two counts of Harassment in the Second Degree, both violations.

The defendant was arraigned last week on the Criminal Negligent Homicide charge before Lancaster Town Justice Anthony J. Cervi. Stirling was arraigned last night on the three additional charges before Lancaster Town Court Justice Jeremy Colby.

It is alleged that on May 13, 2019, at approximately 9:57 p.m., the defendant was driving on William Street in the Town of Lancaster when he lost control of his SUV near Bowen Road. His passenger, 41-year-old Jodie Anstett of Akron, was ejected from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene.

The defendant is also accused of sending harassing messages to the family of the deceased, which included messages where the defendant allegedly threatened one of the police officers who investigated the crash.

Stirling is scheduled to return on Wednesday, November 13, 2019 at 4 p.m. for a felony hearing before Justice Colby who set bail at $25,000 cash or bond.

If convicted on all charges, Stirling faces a maximum of 4 years in prison.

DA Flynn commends the Lancaster Police Department for their work in the investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Chief Paul Glascott of the DA’s Vehicular Crimes Bureau.

As are all persons accused of a crime, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.