Driver identified who hit, dragged child with van

A man who authorities said drove a full-size conversion van into a group of children as they sat along the side of a road was taken into custody Monday night.

Ricky H. Johnson, 51, of Medway, is accused of hitting one of the children — a 9-year-old boy — and dragging him at least 75 feet before driving away from the scene Monday night, according to troopers.

The boy suffered head and arm injuries, according to the Clark County Sheriff’s Office, and was taken to Children’s Medical Center of Dayton. He is listed in stable condition as of early this morning, authorities said.

Johnson was located by Clark County Deputies after witnesses provided the authorities with a description of the van from the scene, according to a press release.

The Ohio Highway Patrol stated that alcohol was a factor in the crash and that they are looking at pursuing charges that include hit-skip and Operating a Vehicle Intoxicated.

Police and rescue units were sent to the 100 block of Kennedy Drive at about 8:23 p.m. on a report of a child struck by a white van that left the scene.

Johnson’s van was headed west on Kennedy and approached a group of children, who were sitting in the grass on the north side of the road, with their bicycles and eating chips. The van left the roadway, onto the grass, and hit one of the children.

A young man who identified himself as the brother of the victim said the vehicle drove onto grass in a yard, hit his little brother, and did not stop.

The Springfield post of Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted by the Clark County Sheriff’s Office and the Bethel Township Fire and EMS during the incident.

The crash remains under investigation.

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