Driver charged in hit-skip of motorcyclist
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) A Fort Wayne woman has been charged with six felonies related to a weekend hit-and-run that left a motorcyclist seriously injured.
Stephanie M. Rutledge, 23, was charged with leaving the scene of an accident resulting in serious bodily injury, causing serious injury while operating a motor vehicle and causing serious injury while operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, two counts of operating a vehicle while intoxicated with a prior conviction and criminal recklessness committed with a deadly weapon.
Prosecutors believe Rutledge was the driver of a Honda Civic that struck a motorcyclist operated by Joseph Aurich in the southbound lanes of North Coliseum Boulevard south of Lake Avenue around 3 a.m. Sunday.
A Fort Wayne Police officer witnessed the crash, according to a probable cause affidavit. The officer said he saw the Civic attempt a left turn onto Coliseum Boulevard and pull into the motorcycle’s path, the affidavit said. Aurich was thrown 30-40 feet, the affidavit said.
He was taken to the hospital in serious condition with a broken femur and multiple abrasions. Police at the scene said Aurich was wearing a helmet and other gear which helped reduce the injuries.
Rutledge, though, allegedly drove off. The affidavit said officers found her Civic later. A breath test showed she had a blood alcohol content of .162 percent, more than twice the legal limit, the affidavit said.
Rutledge has a prior operation while intoxicated conviction from 2015.
The southbound lanes were closed while the crash was cleaned up.