05/24/2010 // West Palm Beach, Florida, USA // Sandra Quinlan // Sandra Quinlan
Indianapolis, IN—A man who claims he experienced a psychotic lapse, causing him to strike two pedestrians with his sport utility vehicle, was arrested after the incident. The horrific traffic accident occurred at about 5 p.m. Saturday, May 22, 2010. The driver responsible for hitting the two victims alleges he was off his schizophrenia medications at the time, according to information provided by TheIndyChannel.com.
Reports indicate 43-year-old Derek Dewitt was traveling at speeds of approximately 60 to 70 mph when the wreck happened. Two pedestrians were standing in the median to advertise a car wash for the Indiana School of the Deaf when they were violently struck by Dewitt’s SUV. The two victims were identified as 41-year-old Tina Carter-Boozer and her 15-year-old daughter.
According to Sgt. Paul Thompson, “We thought it was an accident, but when the driver got out of the car, he made statements that this was not an accident.” The collision occurred in close proximity to the junction of Kessler Boulevard and 56th Street.
At the crash scene Dewitt allegedly stated, “Yeah, I (expletive) hit them. They (expletive) dead now, ain’t they?”
Emergency medical services (EMS) personnel were dispatched to the scene to transport the injured victims to Methodist Hospital. Both were taken to the medical center in critical condition. As of Monday, Carter-Boozer was listed in good condition. Her daughter, on the other hand, remained in critical condition.
“I had a psychotic episode where I thought I saw something evil and I swerved by car and ended up hitting two people… I’m glad to hear that no one had died, because I feel very remorseful and very sorry for what happened,” Dewitt contended in a Monday morning jailhouse interview.
Dewitt was detained on initial charges of attempted murder, battery with injury and criminal recklessness.
Investigations continue.
Legal News Reporter: Sandra Quinlan- Legal News for Indiana SUV Accident Lawyers.
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