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December 19, 2008 - Fifth Street & South Street Hit & Run - Arrest Made
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The Rapid City Police Department has completed its investigation concerning the early morning hit and run crash which occurred on December 15th, near the intersection of Fifth Street and South Street. LeAnne Charron, 12, of Rapid City, was struck and knocked unconscious by a vehicle as she attempted to cross Fifth Street on her way to Dakota Middle School.
On the morning of December 18th, the Rapid City Police Department received a tip of a vehicle matching the description driven in the crash being abandoned on the west side of town off of Sheridan Lake Road. Officers responded and recovered a silver, 4-door 2000 Toyota Corolla with the passenger side window and mirror missing. Further investigation confirmed it was the correct vehicle involved in the crash and the vehicle was seized.
Detectives contacted the registered owner of the Toyota. After speaking with him, it was determined he had been driving his vehicle at the time of crash. The driver of the Toyota has been identified as Matthew E. Mitchell, age 48, of Rapid City.
On December 19th, Mr. Mitchell was arrested for not having a valid South Dakota driver’s license and a hit and run accident resulting in injury. Driving without a valid driver’s license if a class 2 misdemeanor and is punishable by thirty days in a county jail or a $200 fine, or both. A hit and run accident with injury is a class six felony and is punishable by two years imprisonment in the state penitentiary or a fine of $2,000, or both.
The Community Reward Fund offered $1,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the driver involved in this crash. Upon the conviction of the suspect, the committee assigned to the Community Reward Fund will review the information provided by a citizen to determine payment for their assistance in locating the vehicle involved in the crash.
The Rapid City Police Department would like to thank the community for their assistance in providing information and resolving this very important case. We would also like to extend our appreciation to the news media for providing information to the public about this crash in a professional and timely manner.
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