DAYTON, Ohio — A grand jury on Thursday indicted a driver in connection with the death of a University of Dayton student in September.
A Montgomery County grand jury indicted 30-year-old Kyler Forest Carlile, of New Lebanon, on a failure to stop after an accident charge in the death of Michael Currin, according to Prosecuting Attorney Mat Heck Jr.
The 19-year-old died three days after he fell from the back of Carlile’s pickup, according to authorities. Carlile is accused of driving away instead of offering help or calling 911, Heck said.
Currin, a Moeller High School graduate, was walking from the University of Dayton campus to pick up a pizza at a restaurant on Wayne Avenue when he accepted a ride from Carlile.
When Carlile drove one of his passengers home, he realized Currin was no longer in the bed of the pickup. He drove back to where he had picked up Currin and saw him lying in the road, clearly injured, according to Heck.
A coroner ruled the death an accident and said Currin died from blunt force trauma consistent with either falling or jumping from a moving vehicle.
Heck said in a statement that Currin's death was a "tragic accident."
"The police investigation found no indication the defendant was driving recklessly or was impaired. The law does require the operator of a motor vehicle stop after an accident and remain there until authorities arrive. We extend our deepest sympathies and the victim and his family are in our prayers.”
Dayton Police Chief Richard Biehl said Currin’s death required extensive investigative efforts from the police department.
“We are confident that the Montgomery County Coroner's Office and the Montgomery County Prosecutor's Office fully evaluated all available evidence and appreciate their collective efforts in furthering this matter toward justice,” Biehl said. “We again extend our condolences to the Currin family and to the entire University of Dayton community as they continue to heal after the loss of Michael."
Carlile will be arraigned at 8:30 a.m. on Feb. 18.
