A Middletown man is facing a felony charge after the Des Moines County Sheriff’s Office says he admitted to leaving the scene of a crash that seriously injured a bicyclist last month.
According to Sheriff Kevin Glendening, deputies were dispatched at approximately 7:51 p.m. on June 24 to the 15000 block of Mediapolis Road for a report of a pickup truck that had struck a bicyclist and fled the scene. Investigators were told a dark-colored truck hit the cyclist and continued driving without stopping to render aid or report the crash. The victim was taken to the hospital with severe bruising and pain.
During the investigation, deputies identified the suspect vehicle as a blue Ford F-150. On Friday, July 10, investigators interviewed Kole William Perkins, 28, of Middletown, who owns a truck matching that description.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, Perkins admitted he was driving the truck on June 24 and knew he had struck someone on Mediapolis Road. Investigators say Perkins also admitted he believed the victim may have been seriously injured or even dead but never stopped to render aid or contact emergency responders.
Perkins was arrested Friday and charged with Knowingly Leaving the Scene of an Accident Resulting in Serious Injury, a Class D felony. He was transported to the Des Moines County Correctional Center.
A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.