The man charged in the death of Canal Winchester Schools speech therapist Alexa Stakely during an attempted carjacking a year ago has pleaded guilty to a charge of involuntary manslaughter.
Gerald Dowling, 20, pleaded guilty Thursday in Franklin County Common Pleas Court.
Dowling faces up to 16 1/2 years in prison. He is scheduled to be sentenced Aug. 7.
Dowling was indicted in August 2024 on charges of involuntary manslaughter, grand theft of a motor vehicle and receiving stolen property.
Two juveniles also were involved in the attempted carjacking in the early morning hours of July 11.
Columbus police said last year that one male juvenile admitted to stealing the vehicle that belonged to the 29-year-old Stakely.
Stakely tried to car by running in front of it and yelling that her 6-year-old child was asleep in the back seat. The teen hit her with the vehicle.
She later died from her injuries.
Police found Stakely's son inside the vehicle unharmed.
The incident happened at a Southeast Side apartment complex.
Franklin County Prosecutor's Office spokeswoman Nya Hairston said one of the juveniles pleaded guilty earlier this year to involuntary manslaughter and is in the custody of the Department of Youth Services.
The other, the alleged driver, is charged with murder and had a hearing continued Friday.
