Driver says heavy car damage was from deer after teen found dead in road, IN cops say
An Indiana driver is accused of fatally hitting a 17-year-old girl on a scooter, fleeing the scene, then trying to pass the vehicle damage off as a deer accident, authorities said.
Akil K. Ward, 41, of Gary is charged with leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death or catastrophic injury in the Jan. 4 accident, court records show. Attorney information for Ward was not available.
Officers responded shortly before 6 a.m. Jan 4 to reports of an accident and found Eunikue Roberson dead in the road surrounded by debris, including a headlight, gray bumper and front grille, according to a probable cause affidavit.
A witness told police “someone hit her and left,” but did not provide additional details, court records said.
Investigators used traffic cameras and a fluid trail leading away from the scene to identify the vehicle involved as a 2014 Dodge Durango registered to Ward, records show.
Police executing a search warrant at Ward’s house found a Dodge Durango in his garage with heavy front-end damage, court records said. Ward told investigators he believed he hit a deer, police said.
Authorities also found text messages between Ward and another man tht showed Ward was trying to sell the Durango due to the damage, documents said.
Ward was arrested Jan. 6 and released Jan. 7 on a $3,445 cash bond, according to court records.
He is due back in court for an initial hearing Jan. 22.
