LITHOPOLIS, Ohio – The sheriff in Fairfield County says a pedestrian killed in a hit-and-run crash in central Ohio was suspected in area break-ins.
Joshua Allen Barnes, 24, of Canal Winchester, was struck and killed by a vehicle Wednesday while walking in the roadway on Lithopolis Road, south of Salem Church Road, at approximately 5:50 a.m., according to Sheriff Dave Phalen’s office and the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
Phalen says there have been burglaries in the area recently. The man walking with Barnes was arrested after the crash on charges of breaking and entering, theft and possession of criminal tools.
WCMH-TV in Columbus reports that Phalen says investigators also suspect Barnes was involved in the break-ins.
The State Highway Patrol later found a vehicle matching the description of a Jeep Cherokee seen driving away from the crash scene. Investigators were questioning the driver.