COLUMBUS, Ohio (WKRC) – A woman is in custody on a $3 million bond following a fatal wrong-way crash that occurred on May 4 on Route 315.
Xiaoke Fan, 27, is charged with multiple offenses related to the incident that resulted in the death of Kaitlyn Spahr, a Columbus assistant city prosecutor, and serious injuries to another driver. Authorities reported that Fan drove approximately four miles in the wrong direction before colliding with another vehicle.
According to prosecutors, Spahr and her driver were returning from a softball game when the crash took place. During a hearing in Franklin County Common Pleas Court, Spahr's twin sister, Rachel, urged the judge to deny bond, expressing concerns for public safety. “What's stopping her from doing this again if she is released?” Rachel Spahr said, as reported by WSYX.
Prosecutors allege that Fan had stolen the vehicle shortly before the crash, reportedly threatening a woman to give her a ride. Witnesses indicated she was in a state of distress, brandishing a rock during the encounter.
Fan, who appeared virtually for her arraignment, is recovering from her injuries sustained in the crash and remains in a wheelchair. Her defense counsel has indicated she is a Chinese national in the U.S. on a student visa, having recently graduated from a college in the Dayton area.
Her defense previously filed a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity; however, due to procedural issues, Fan entered a standard not guilty plea during Monday's hearing. The plea will be refiled once a judge is assigned to the case.
A judge ordered that if Fan posts bond, she must be placed on GPS monitoring while awaiting trial.