HANCOCK COUNTY, Ind. — An Anderson man has been arrested for a crash that critically injured a 13-year-old boy who was riding his bicycle in Hancock County earlier this month.
On Thursday, deputies arrested Aaron M. Magee, 33, on a warrant for a felony charge of leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death or catastrophic injury.
According to a spokesperson with the Hancock County Sheriff's Office, detectives obtained a search warrant for a suspect vehicle on June 21. The gold 2008 Saturn Aura was found in a garage in Anderson, where police said Magee was trying to hide it. Police said evidence on the vehicle matches the bicycle that was hit.
The vehicle is now at the Hancock County Sheriff's Office.
Late Wednesday, the Hancock County Sheriff's Department said doctors took the victim, Jasper Young, off of a ventilator on Tuesday, June 27. Doctors said the next two days are crucial to see how the boy will do.
The incident happened June 17 around 10 p.m. on State Road 109 at County Road 650 North, near Wilkinson.
A sheriff's department spokesperson said a passerby found Young lying on the ground next to a bicycle and called 911. It's not known how long Young was on the ground before he was found.
Young was transported by helicopter to Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis in critical condition. The Hancock County Sheriff's Department told 13News the boy suffered a traumatic brain injury.
When announcing Magee's arrest, the sheriff's department said it's too early to determine what lasting effects of his injuries Young may have, as "he has shown very little improvement since the crash."
On June 20, the Pendleton community gathered together to pray for Young's speedy recovery.
"I'm sad. I mean, my best friend, he's in the hospital. We don't know if he's going to make it, we don't know if he's going to be OK. It's just sad," said Emmanuel Niwamanya, a longtime friend of Young.
Police said the suspect vehicle likely had damage to the front, right and passenger side.
They also have the suspect's cell phone for processing.
Sheriff's investigators are still asking for the public's help in the case. People who live in the area of State Road 109 between State Road 234 and the Dollar General in Wilkinson are asked to check their security camera footage from between 9:45 p.m. and 10:10 p.m. Saturday.
Police also want to hear from anyone who was driving in that area about the same time and saw anything that may help. If you have video or information that could assist in the investigation, you're asked to call the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office at 317-477-1199.
(EDITOR'S NOTE: This story was updated to reflect that the age of the person struck is 13 years old, not 15 as we were originally advised.)
