Michigan City man charged after Gary pedestrian hit-and-run
A Michigan City man faces charges after police allege he hit a man crossing 24th Avenue in Gary, then fled.
Reginald Coverson, 56, was charged May 9 with two counts of failure to remain at the scene of an accident with moderate or serious bodily injury, one count of criminal recklessness, all level 6 felonies, and two misdemeanors.
He posted a $2,500 bond Monday. His next hearing is May 28 before Magistrate Kathleen Sullivan.
Witnesses told Gary Police that a white GMC Savana van hit a potentially homeless man around 1 p.m. April 24 on 24th Avenue near Broadway Avenue.
The van appeared to back up, then go around the man, before taking off on Georgia Street. Police later traced the van to Coverson.
The pedestrian – 'Jessie Doe' – was taken to Methodist, before he was transferred to a Chicago hospital. Police pulled video from a nearby gas station.
The victim's distant relative called the police after the hospital called him – trying to reach the next of kin.
Coverson was arrested May 7 in a traffic stop near 4th Avenue and Rutledge Street. Officers noted his hands were shaking when they told him he was being arrested for fleeing the crash.
Another relative told police May 8 the victim was suffering from injuries including severe head trauma and was still hospitalized.
mcolias@post-trib.com
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