Two arrested after fatal hit/skip crash on I-480
by Emily Canning-Dean
Reporter
Twinsburg -- Two men are expected to be bound over to Summit County Court of Common Pleas after police charged them in connection with a fatal hit-skip accident Sept. 15, when a Utility trailer became unhitched and rolled into the path of Ravenna motorcyclist on Interstate 480.
Police arrested Ricky L. Melton, 55, of Stow, and Michael H. Rusu, 54, of Akron, Nov. 16 at the Twinsburg Police Department.
Melton and Rusu are charged with one count each of involuntary manslaughter, theft and receiving stolen property. Melton, who police say was driving, also was charged with failure to stop at the scene of an accident.
Neither Melton nor Rusu, nor attorneys representing them, could immediately be reached for comment.
Police Sgt. Greg Feketik said Melton and Rusu allegedly stole a trailer from a Dutton Drive business Sept. 15. While they were traveling eastbound on I-480 just east of Route 91, the trailer became unhitched from their vehicle.
The trailer crossed the median, and motorcyclist Michael K. Hull, 48, of Ravenna, struck the trailer, was ejected from the motorcycle and landed in the westbound lanes, where police say two other vehicles struck him.
Melton and Rusu continued traveling east on I-480 without stopping, police said.
Hull was flown to Akron City Hospital, where he died Sept. 30 due to injuries from the crash, according to police.
Feketik said Twinsburg police contacted Melton after discovering that the license plate on the trailer, which was in the police department's possession, belonged to him.
Melton and Rusu went to the Twinsburg Police Department Nov. 16 and were arrested and charged.
They were arraigned Nov. 17 at Stow Municipal Court, but did not enter a plea at that time. Bond was set at $500,000 cash for both defendants. As of Nov. 17, they were in Twinsburg jail, but were expected to be transported to Summit County jail.
E-mail: aschunk@recordpub.com
Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3172
No comments:
Post a Comment