CLEVELAND — After the Cleveland Division of Police asked for help finding the driver of a car that was allegedly involved in a deadly hit-and-run crash earlier this month, police said Saturday that an arrest has been made in the case.
Michael M. Compton, 30, was arrested Friday. Court records show he has been indicted on felony charges of failure to stop after an accident and gross abuse of a corpse.
Compton is due in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court for an arraignment hearing at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, May 6.
"With the help of local media, the CMSD Police, & many citizens providing vital tips, detectives were able to locate the vehicle involved & arrest the suspect," the police division said in a social media post. "Thank you to all our community and law enforcement partners for helping to bring initial justice to the victim's family -- our thoughts remain with the family as well!"
Police say the white 1983 Chevrolet Monte Carlo is a “distinct” two-door vehicle with Ohio license plate 316 MC and light blue rims. Police say the trunk’s lock is punched out and being held down by a bungie cord.
DETAILS OF THE INCIDENT
Police say it was around 12:14 a.m. on April 5 when they received a report of a man being shot in the 18100 block of Euclid Avenue. Upon their arrival at the scene, police say they found a man laying face down in the street.
The victim -- identified as 24-year-old Calvin E. Aldridge -- was unresponsive with “trauma to the body” and pronounced dead at the scene at 12:23 a.m.
The investigation revealed the victim’s manner of death was ruled “an accident by motor vehicle” and not a gunshot wound, according to Cleveland police.
“Further investigation revealed the victim was staggering and walking in circles in the middle of the street near 18126 Euclid Avenue,” according to a press release. “It’s reported the victim fell down on the street, attempted to stand up but then sat down in the street.”
That’s when an eastbound vehicle -- the Chevrolet Monte Carlo -- allegedly struck the victim and dragged him several feet.
“The suspect vehicle stopped, the driver exited the vehicle, walked around to the front and passenger side of the vehicle, returned to the driver’s seat, reversed, then pulled forward and left the scene of the incident," according to police.