MANSFIELD — A 38-year-old Shiloh man has been charged with three felony counts stemming from a fatal hit/skip accident Sunday morning that killed a 13-year-old boy on a bicycle.
Bud D. Thornsberry was charged with aggravated vehicular assault, tampering with evidence and failure to stop after an accident causing death, according to Ohio State Highway Patrol Sgt. Ryan Purpura.
He was taken into custody on Sunday evening, the sergeant said.
Luke Newswanger, 13, of Shelby, was killed in the crash, which occurred on Bowman Street Road just south of Hazelbrush Road in Cass Township around 9:15 a.m., according to the patrol.
Thornsberry was taken to the Richland County Jail. He was arraigned Monday morning in Shelby Municipal Court, where a cash bond was set at $250,000. He has a preliminary hearing scheduled Dec. 13, according to court officials.
Purpura said the patrol received “numerous” tips from the public regarding “sightings of possible vehicles fitting the description of the pick-up truck that was believed to have been involved in the crash.”
Purpura said troopers followed up on those tips and also developed leads of their own. He said a combination of these leads and tips led to Thornsberry’s arrest.
“Thornsberry approached troopers while they were out looking for him,” Purpura said. “His vehicle was also seized and held as evidence regarding the fatal crash.
“We really appreciate when we reach out to the public for information and assistance and they respond,” Purpura said.
The accident occurred when a pickup truck driving north on Bowman Road struck a bicycle, which was also cycling on Bowman Road. The pickup truck fled the scene.
Bowman Road was closed between Hazelbrush Road and Miller Road for approximately three hours. The roadway was opened at 12:22 p.m.
Shiloh Fire Department & EMS, Richland County Sheriff’s Department, Plymouth Police Department, Richland County Coroner’s Office and Richland County Highway Department assisted on scene.
After the accident, the Mansfield Post of the State Highway Patrol said it was seeking public assistance in identifying and locating the pickup truck.
The pickup truck was described as a black or dark green extended cab pickup, which would have damage to the center to passenger side front end to include the headlight assembly. The driver side tail light was described to have red tape in place of the actual tail light, and a faded tailgate.
The truck was described as an early 2000’s model, Chevrolet or GMC, possibly Colorado/Canyon model pickup.
