A Columbus man has died after being struck by a vehicle driven by his spouse a few blocks from his east side home, police said.
Columbus police are seeking witnesses in the death of Justin L. Smith, 34, of 225 Hinman St., who was struck by a vehicle on State Street near South Beatty Street at 2:50 a.m. Monday, said Lt. Matt Harris, Columbus Police Department spokesman.
Officers determined that Smith’s spouse, Angela D. Smith, 34, also of 225 Hinman St., was driving the vehicle that was involved in the incident, Harris said.
Officers found Justin L. Smith unresponsive at the scene, Harris said. He was taken to Columbus Regional Hospital, where he died from his injuries, Harris said.
Police believe there may have been at least one other person in the area at the time of the incident, and are hoping witnesses can provide information about what happened, Harris said.
Bartholomew County Coroner Clayton Nolting said he pronounced Justin L. Smith dead at the hospital at 3:33 a.m. Monday. Nolting is also seeking toxicology tests on Justin L. Smith as part of the investigation, he said. An autopsy is scheduled for today.
Angela D. Smith was also taken to Columbus Regional Hospital for a blood draw and has been interviewed by detectives, Harris said.
The intersection where the incident occurred was reopened at about 8 a.m. Monday.
The fatal Monday incident occurred just after Justin Smith’s arrest Thursday with his father, Victor N. Burton, 56, of 3170 W. County Road 600S, on multiple charges after being found trespassing on private property with two motorcycles that were determined to be stolen.
Indiana Department of Natural Resources law enforcement officers found the two men on private property in the 300 block of Jonesville Road with what the officers said were two stolen Harley Davidson motorcycles.
When the vehicles’ identification numbers were checked, they learned one of the Harleys was stolen in Indianapolis while the other was reported stolen in Dallas, Texas.
Justin Smith was arrested on preliminary charges of criminal trespassing, theft/receiving stolen property, possession of methamphetamine and possession of marijuana, Quillen said.
He was initially held in the Bartholomew County Jail in lieu of $77,000 bond, but was released Saturday after he had been held for 48 hours, jail officials said. He was not required to post bond as he had completed the 48 hours without charges being filed, jail officials said.
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Anyone with information about the death of Justin L. Smith at 2:50 a.m. Monday at State and South Beatty streets is asked to call Columbus police at 812-376-2600. Tips and information may be left anonymously.
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