A hearing for a Sharpsville man charged with aggravated vehicular homicide for allegedly striking a couple with his car last Friday was waived Thursday to Trumbull County Common Pleas Court.

Edward Rimko, 48, of 32 Bluff St., pleaded innocent to the charges at his arraignment Monday in Eastern District Court, Brookfield, after spending the weekend in Trumbull County Jail.

On Thursday he and his public defender, Charles Mickens, asked acting Judge Randy Rudloff to direct the case to the Trumbull County Grand Jury.

Rudloff complied and released Rimko to his mother on the condition that she guarantee his future court appearances. Rudloff also ordered Rimko not to drive and to turn in his license to the Ohio Highway Patrol.

Rimko faces a third-degree felony charge with a stipulation that he was driving recklessly and may have been speeding the night his car hit two people while they were crossing U.S. Route 62 from Broadway Avenue, the highway patrol said.

Killed was Sue A. Combine, 25, of 7467 Sharon-Stewart Road, Brookfield, who was walking with Jeffrey B. Culp, 26, of 7908 Rose Ave., Masury. Culp was released Monday from UPMC Horizon, Farrell.

Highway patrolman Don Walker said the couple had crossed the highway once and were crossing again when they were struck in the passing lane by Rimko's northbound car.

According to investigators, Rimko drove away and eventually returned to admit he had struck the pedestrians.

In the time that elapsed, Ms. Combine and Culp may have been struck by as many as two other vehicles, troopers said.

Anyone with information is asked to call Ohio State Patrol at (330) 898-2311.