Assistant Hancock Co. prosecutor pleads guilty
3/18/2017FINDLAY — An assistant Hancock County prosecutor accused of leaving the scene of a two-vehicle crash pleaded guilty to two driving offenses.
Alex Treece, 39, of Findlay, was cited for failure to stop after an accident and failure to yield on a left turn after police say he left the scene of a two-vehicle crash March 1, according to a Findlay police report.
Mr. Treece’s children, a 10-year-old girl and 7-year-old boy, also were in the vehicle. There were no injuries.
He pleaded guilty Thursday in Findlay Municipal Court before visiting Judge Michael Burkett.
A presentence investigation was ordered, and Mr. Treece will be sentenced March 31.
Hancock County Prosecutor Phil Riegle confirmed Mr. Treece was placed on paid administrative leave prior to his plea. Mr. Riegle said he will be reviewing the case for any disciplinary action. Mr. Treece was named chief criminal assistant when Mr. Riegle took over as prosecutor in late 2016.
The accident occurred when Charlotte Brauneller, 74, of Rawson, Ohio, was driving a sport utility vehicle at about 6:24 p.m. west on Lima Avenue near Western Avenue.
Mr. Treece — who was traveling east on Lima Avenue — turned onto Western Avenue and into the path of Ms. Brauneller’s vehicle, the report indicates. A witness reported to police the license plate number of the fleeing vehicle.