COLUMBUS – Two people were killed and a third injured in separate hit-skip accidents in Columbus over the weekend, prompting a warning from police to pedestrians and drivers, as well as a reminder to motorists to remain at the scene of an accident.
Drivers who leave the scene of an accident where they might only receive a citation “turn themselves into a felon,” says Sgt. Brooke Wilson of the Accident Investigation Unit in a public-service announcement released by the Division of Police via social media (below).
“When we find you, we will indict you and you could potentially go to prison,” he said.
*RT* SGT. BROOKE WILSON of CPD's ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION UNIT OFFERS THIS PSA after 1 too many pedestrians have been hit/hit-skip accidents. pic.twitter.com/yEiInoyQJ1
— Columbus Division of Police (@ColumbusPolice) October 8, 2017
Tarinesha Caldwell, 28, was killed while crossing S. James Road, south of Dale Avenue, at approximately 4:15 a.m. Saturday when she was struck by a silver 2005 Ford Taurus with an Ohio temporary tag, Wilson said. The car continued northbound out, past E. Broad Street where Wilson says witnesses saw it turn onto Maryland Avenue. A witness was able to follow the Taurus and obtain the tag number.
At 1:01 p.m. Saturday, Soungoutoumba Macalou was traveling northbound on Lockbourne Road and entering the intersection at Waktins Road on his 1998 Ducati 784 motorcycle when Wilson says he was struck by a tan or beige-colored vehicle turning from southbound Lockbourne Road to eastbound Watkins Road.
A witness told police the vehicle continued eastbound after hitting Macalou, 39, who died later at Grant Medical Center, Wilson said.
The Accident Investigations Unit is investigating to see if the driver stopped after a crash on the Northeast Side early Sunday morning that left another man seriously injured.
The man was being treated for life-threatening injuries after he was hit by a vehicle while walking across E. Dublin Granville Road at about 3 a.m. Sunday, according to WBNS-10TV.
Anyone with information about these incidents or suspected drivers or vehicles is asked to call the Columbus Police Accident Investigation Unit at 614-645-4767.
A Columbus police sergeant is recovering at home after being hit from behind while helping a stranded motorist on an East Side freeway early Sunday. Columbus Police Sgt. Stephen Carr says.
Sgt. Benjamin Messerly was hit in the eastbound lanes of I-670 near Leonard Avenue just after 5:00 a.m. and was taken to Riverside Methodist Hospital where he was treated before being sent home, according to Columbus Division of Police social media pages.
Authorities say the 32-year-old driver, Amber Marinello-Cabrera, was arrested and charged with operating a vehicle while impaired. The Dispatch reports she is facing an additional charge of aggravated vehicular assault.