A series of odd mishaps occurred during a Friday evening crash that resulted in two young motorists being cited, officers of the Bellefontaine Police Department report. Kimberly Hilgefort, 53, of Dublin, was stopped in traffic on west Sandusky at Pratt Street at 5:48 p.m. when her sport utility vehicle was struck from behind by a car driven by Autumn L. Cooper, 18, of 504 Linden St.
Ms. Cooper reportedly rushed from her car to check on the occupants of the other vehicle and in doing so failed to put her car into park, officers report. The Cooper car traveled toward a nearby alley where it struck a car driven by Richard B. Henry Jr., 21, of 408 W. Sandusky Ave.
Mr. Henry reportedly fled the scene and returned the vehicle to his mother, Mary Henry of 1104 W. Sandusky Ave. The son allegedly lied to his mother about the cause of the damage and she then called the police department to report the false information.
During investigation of that complaint, officers determined Mr. Henry was at the scene of the crash and fled because his driving privileges are suspended. He was cited for driving under suspension and failing to stop after a crash.
Ms. Cooper was cited for failure to maintain assured clear distance ahead.
Damage was minor to the Hilgefort SUV and Henry car while Ms. Cooper’s vehicle had to be towed from the scene.
No injuries were reported.