Topline: Quintin Walton faces aggravated vehicular homicide and impaired-driving charges in the May crash that killed 26-year-old elementary school teacher Najee Hardaway.
Published: October 2, 2026 4:04 pm ET
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Najee Hardaway (via Shaker Heights Schools)
CLEVELAND, OH — An Akron man faces aggravated vehicular homicide and impaired-driving charges in a suspected drunken-driving crash that killed Najee Hardaway, a 26-year-old Shaker Heights elementary school teacher.
Quintin Walton, 41, was indicted in September in connection with Hardaway’s death in May. Cleveland.com reported that the charges include felony aggravated vehicular homicide and misdemeanor operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol.
Walton pleaded not guilty at his September 29 arraignment in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court. A judge set his bond at $50,000.
His attorney, Joseph Hada, described Hardaway’s death as a “profoundly sad case.”
A Teacher in the Community Where He Grew Up
Hardaway taught fourth grade at Lomond Elementary School and was a Shaker Heights graduate. Superintendent David Glasner described him as a beloved staff member and a leader among his colleagues in a letter to families, students and staff, FOX 8 reported in May.
Lomond closed to students the Tuesday after his death. Students returned Wednesday, and the district provided counseling and mental health support.
Dozens of people gathered behind the school for a Thursday evening vigil, many wearing Hardaway’s favorite colors, red and black, according to Cleveland 19’s coverage. Family members and others shared memories of his work with children and his place in the community.
Hardaway’s uncle said the patience, kindness and encouragement students experienced in the classroom reflected the same person his family knew at home. His mother urged the children he taught to hold on to the confidence and strengths he had helped them discover.
District spokesperson Kristen Miller said mental health professionals and counselors were available for students and staff, and therapy dogs had visited the school on both days.
At the time of the May vigil coverage, the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office said Hardaway’s cause of death remained pending. The September indictment report subsequently identified his death as connected to the suspected impaired-driving crash.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Akron Man Indicted in Crash That Killed Shaker Heights Teacher Najee Hardaway
Quintin Walton faces aggravated vehicular homicide and impaired-driving charges in the May crash that killed 26-year-old elementary school teacher Najee Hardaway.
By Aaron Stephensen
Published: October 2, 2026 4:04 pm ET
Najee Hardaway (via Shaker Heights Schools)
CLEVELAND, OH — An Akron man faces aggravated vehicular homicide and impaired-driving charges in a suspected drunken-driving crash that killed Najee Hardaway, a 26-year-old Shaker Heights elementary school teacher.
Quintin Walton, 41, was indicted in September in connection with Hardaway’s death in May. Cleveland.com reported that the charges include felony aggravated vehicular homicide and misdemeanor operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol.
Walton pleaded not guilty at his September 29 arraignment in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court. A judge set his bond at $50,000.
His attorney, Joseph Hada, described Hardaway’s death as a “profoundly sad case.”
A Teacher in the Community Where He Grew Up
Hardaway taught fourth grade at Lomond Elementary School and was a Shaker Heights graduate. Superintendent David Glasner described him as a beloved staff member and a leader among his colleagues in a letter to families, students and staff, FOX 8 reported in May.
Lomond closed to students the Tuesday after his death. Students returned Wednesday, and the district provided counseling and mental health support.
Dozens of people gathered behind the school for a Thursday evening vigil, many wearing Hardaway’s favorite colors, red and black, according to Cleveland 19’s coverage. Family members and others shared memories of his work with children and his place in the community.
Hardaway’s uncle said the patience, kindness and encouragement students experienced in the classroom reflected the same person his family knew at home. His mother urged the children he taught to hold on to the confidence and strengths he had helped them discover.
District spokesperson Kristen Miller said mental health professionals and counselors were available for students and staff, and therapy dogs had visited the school on both days.
At the time of the May vigil coverage, the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office said Hardaway’s cause of death remained pending. The September indictment report subsequently identified his death as connected to the suspected impaired-driving crash.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Akron Man Indicted in Crash That Killed Shaker Heights Teacher Najee Hardaway
Quintin Walton faces aggravated vehicular homicide and impaired-driving charges in the May crash that killed 26-year-old elementary school teacher Najee Hardaway.
By Aaron Stephensen
Published: October 2, 2026 4:04 pm ET
Najee Hardaway (via Shaker Heights Schools)
CLEVELAND, OH — An Akron man faces aggravated vehicular homicide and impaired-driving charges in a suspected drunken-driving crash that killed Najee Hardaway, a 26-year-old Shaker Heights elementary school teacher.
Quintin Walton, 41, was indicted in September in connection with Hardaway’s death in May. Cleveland.com reported that the charges include felony aggravated vehicular homicide and misdemeanor operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol.
Walton pleaded not guilty at his September 29 arraignment in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court. A judge set his bond at $50,000.
His attorney, Joseph Hada, described Hardaway’s death as a “profoundly sad case.”
A Teacher in the Community Where He Grew Up
Hardaway taught fourth grade at Lomond Elementary School and was a Shaker Heights graduate. Superintendent David Glasner described him as a beloved staff member and a leader among his colleagues in a letter to families, students and staff, FOX 8 reported in May.
Lomond closed to students the Tuesday after his death. Students returned Wednesday, and the district provided counseling and mental health support.
Dozens of people gathered behind the school for a Thursday evening vigil, many wearing Hardaway’s favorite colors, red and black, according to Cleveland 19’s coverage. Family members and others shared memories of his work with children and his place in the community.
Hardaway’s uncle said the patience, kindness and encouragement students experienced in the classroom reflected the same person his family knew at home. His mother urged the children he taught to hold on to the confidence and strengths he had helped them discover.
District spokesperson Kristen Miller said mental health professionals and counselors were available for students and staff, and therapy dogs had visited the school on both days.
At the time of the May vigil coverage, the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office said Hardaway’s cause of death remained pending. The September indictment report subsequently identified his death as connected to the suspected impaired-driving crash.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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