An expert consultant has been requested to review the toxicology reports from a February hit-and-run that killed a Cortland jogger.

Forty-three-year-old Russell Lauer III pleaded not guilty aggravated vehicular homicide, driving under the influence, failure to stop after an accident, and a traffic lane violation after the Fowler Township incident.  

Troopers say Lauer had alcohol and oxycodone in his system when his Chevy Trail Blazer drove off Ridge Road on February 27th, striking 27-year-old Brittany Szwedko.  Szwedko, who was training for a half-marathon, died three days after the accident. 

The toxicology results, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, indicated that Lauer had a blood-alcohol level of 0.077 and an oxycodone concentration of 51.60 ng/mL.

Lauer's reported blood-alcohol level is below Ohio's 0.08 limit, but his oxycodone results are more than acceptable state limits.

Tests results also showed no alcohol or drugs were detected in Szwedko's blood. 

Lauer's attorney, Brandon Keating, filed a motion Monday to appoint a toxicology expert in defense of the suspect.

Keating's motion says the expert plans to review the toxicology report's findings  in preparation for trial.

The expert will serve primarily as a consult and will not necessarily be called upon to testify.

Investigators say Lauer allegedly fled the scene until he was stopped by witnesses and detained until police could arrive.

Lauer was taken to Trumbull County Jail, where he is currently being held.  

His jury trial is scheduled for September 26th at 11:00am in Judge Kontos' Trumbull County Common Pleas court.

If convicted, Lauer could be sentenced to eight years in prison for aggravated vehicular homicide and three years for failure to stop.