Four felony charges have been filed against a Bloomington man involved in a fatal collision late last year on Columbus’ far west side.
Nathan F. Morrow, 35, was officially charged Friday in connection with the Dec. 5 head-on crash that took the life of Richard D. Walters, 58, of Columbus.
The defendant is charged with causing death when operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated as a Level 4 felony; reckless homicide as a Level 5 felony; possession of a narcotic drug as a Level 6 felony and possession of marijuana with a previous offense, also a Level 6 felony.
When combined with a misdemeanor charge of possession of paraphernalia, Morrow could receive over 23 years in prison if convicted on all charges.
An investigation of the 8 p.m. fatal accident on West State Road 46 indicates Morrow’s westbound 2005 Chevy Tahoe left the highway west of Goeller Boulevard, police said. His SUV traveled over a 10-inch high median before entering the eastbound lanes and striking Walters’ 2008 Honda Civic head-on, according to investigators.
Most drivers would have noticed the jolt upon hitting the curb, and it would take effort to purposely drive up on the concrete, stay on the median and drive back off on the opposite side, according to accident reconstruction expert Officer Kelly Holley of the Columbus Police Dept.
Holley’s conclusions were included in a probable cause affidavit filed by CPD investigating officer Zachary Tingle.
After arriving at the crash site in front of the Westhill Shopping Center, Tingle first focused on the unconscious Walters, who was slumped over an airbag, the probable cause affidavit stated. Walters was taken to Columbus Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival, court documents state.
Walters, who held a degree in conservation law, worked for XPO Logistics in Indianapolis for 27 years. His cause of death was determined to be massive blunt force trauma to the upper chest and cervical spine, Bartholomew County Coroner Clayton Nolting said.
As Tingle approached Morrow as he sat in his vehicle, Morrow became “combative, screaming and increasingly hostile and aggressive towards officers,” according to court affidavits.
After being handcuffed, Morrow was first taken to Columbus Regional Hospital and later transferred to IU Health Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis for treatment of a head injury.
While investigating the wreckage, CPD Officer Aaron Graham found a capsule of what appeared to be oxycodone stuck on the front passenger window of Morrow’s SUV, according to the affidavit.
Police later found a tied, blue rubber glove containing three more identical pills, 4.5 ounces of marijuana separated into two bags, and a glass pipe with marijuana residue, the probable cause affidavit states.
A search warrant was obtained to draw Morrow’s blood for toxicology, court records state. Tests later indicated the defendant had take amphetamine, which is a stimulant; midazolam, which is used for sedation; and oxycodone, a narcotic pain reliever; and a number of chemicals associated with different varieties of marijuana, the affidavit stated.
Morrow was being held in the Bartholomew County Jail in lieu of $80,000 surety or $8,000 cash bond.
