Donald Mynatt indicted in hit-and-run death of 7-year-old Amir Prewitt
CLEVELAND (WJW) — A man accused of fatally striking a 7-year-old boy and dragging him beneath an SUV is now under indictment.
An indictment handed up Thursday charges Donald H. Mynatt III, 32, with second- and third-degree felony counts of failure to stop after an accident, as well as a felony count of tampering with evidence and a misdemeanor count of negligent homicide, according to a news release from the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office.
It happened Aug. 16 outside the Lakeshore Beach Apartments along Lakeshore Boulevard in Cleveland, according to authorities.
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Mynatt was driving an SUV on the main access road when he struck Prewitt, who was riding his skateboard, prosecutors said. Mynatt then pulled into a parking area, turned around and sped away. Prewitt was reportedly dragged beneath the vehicle.
First responders transported Prewitt to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
“Amir Prewitt’s death is a terrible tragedy, and my thoughts and prayers remain with his family,” Prosecutor Michael O’Malley is quoted in the release. “Donald Mynatt selfishly thought he could evade justice, and thanks to the diligent work by the U.S. Marshals and the Cleveland Division of Police, that is not the case.”
Mynatt allegedly abandoned the SUV, and it was found less than a day later. More than two weeks later, agents with the U.S. Marshals’ Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force found Mynatt hiding out in an abandoned office space above storage units in Lake County, according to the release. He was already a wanted fugitive in another case.
Records show Mynatt’s license had been suspended due to a child support issue, the FOX 8 I-Team reported. He’s had numerous license suspensions in the past, as well as a previous conviction in a hit-and-run.
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Prosecutors on Thursday noted Mynatt was not indicted on a count of aggravated vehicular homicide, which would require the state to prove Mynatt had been acting recklessly.
“At this time, there is no evidence that the defendant was operating the vehicle while under the influence, driving at a high rate of speed, using a cell phone or engaging in any other conduct that would be considered reckless under the Ohio Revised Code,” reads the release. “The investigation remains ongoing.”
Mynatt’s attorney claimed authorities charged the wrong person, the I-Team reported.
He remains jailed on a $5 million bond. Future court dates have not yet been set.
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