An Akron police officer’s loved ones started an online petition to reduce charges against him related to an alleged drunken driving incident that severely injured his wife.
Sgt. Vince Yurick, a 19-year veteran, is facing several charges including aggravated vehicular assault and operating a vehicle while impaired. The assault charge is a felony; the rest are misdemeanors.
If convicted of a felony, Yurick could lose his job. The petition, started so he can keep his job was reportedly set up by family. They could not be reached, but the website said Yurick has “always conducted his life to the ‘higher standard’ demanded of police officers.”
His wife, Glynn Yurick, suffered brain damage from the incident but is recovering, according to the petition.
“We, the family of Glynn Yurick, are asking for your support in our request that the charges against Sgt. Yurick be reduced,” the family wrote, “that he might continue to serve the citizens of Akron, tend to his ailing mother and continue on the path to full recovery for his sweetheart, wife, and mother Glynn.
By Friday afternoon, more than 350 people had signed the petition at www.petitions24.com/reduce_charges_against_sgt_vince_yurick.
According to police reports, Yurick, 45, lost control of his car and crashed. A bystander said Glynn Yurick was trapped and unconscious and Vince Yurick slurred his speech.
Police said Yurick refused a breath test for alcohol. But police obtained a court order to take a blood sample, which revealed his intoxication level was 0.138 percent. Ohio’s legal limit to drive is 0.08 percent.