COLUMBUS, Ohio (WKRC) – Xiaoke Fan, 30, is being held on a $3 million bond following a fatal wrong-way crash on Route 315 on May 4.
According to prosecutors, Fan drove a stolen vehicle for approximately four miles in the wrong direction before colliding with another vehicle, resulting in the death of passenger Kaitlyn Spahr and serious injuries to the driver. Both were reportedly returning from a softball game at the time of the crash.
During her arraignment in Franklin County Common Pleas Court on Monday, Spahr's sister, Rachel Spahr, urged the judge to deny bond, expressing concerns over public safety if Fan is released. She stated, “The lives of Columbus drivers and their loved ones would be at risk.”
Prosecutors allege that shortly before the crash, Fan approached a woman and demanded a ride to a hospital while threatening her. After the woman fled, Fan stole the vehicle, leading to the crash soon after.
Fan appeared virtually in court while in a wheelchair, recovering from injuries sustained in the incident. Her attorney noted that she is a Chinese national on a student visa who recently graduated from a college in Dayton.
The defense previously filed a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity, but a procedural issue required a standard not guilty plea. This plea will be refiled once a judge is assigned to the case.
If Fan posts bond, a judge has ordered GPS monitoring during the pretrial period.