Crime And Law

Report: Judge denies request to increase bond for semi driver accused in I-70 crash that killed 4 children

WAYNE COUNTY, Indiana — A Wayne County, Indiana judge declined a request by prosecutors to increase the bond set against a Preble County truck driver accused of causing the crash that killed four juveniles on I-70 in July, according to a report from the Richmond Pal Item.

>>PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Preble County man accused of reckless homicide in I-70 wreck jailed on probation violation

Corey Withrow, 31, of Camden has been jailed in Preble County since July 16 without bond, accused violating his probation in a 2019 drug conviction. He will remain jailed ahead of his hearing in Preble County court Aug. 19 on the accusation of the probation violation.

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While Withrow remains in Preble County Jail, the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office filed a request to have his bond in Indiana increased. The prosecutor’s office cited Withrow had a moderate risk for failing to appear at court appearances in Indiana and that he had failed a drug test, the Pal Item reported.

>>Semi driver accused of being intoxicated on drugs in deadly I-70 crash 

Withrow’s bond was initially set in Wayne County at $35,000 after he was charged with reckless homicide and other felonies stemming from the deadly crash July 10. He posted bond and was out of Wayne County Jail, before he was picked up and incarcerated in Preble County.

>> 2 teens, 2 children killed in fiery crash on I-70 in Wayne Co., Indiana; Preble Co. man arrested

Withrow’s attorney, Joshua Moudy, argued that Withrow would be supervised by Ohio probation staff if he’s released from jail, the Pal Item reported. Moudy also argued Withrow has always appeared to his hearings in Ohio and hasn’t done anything to violate Wayne County court orders, the newspaper reported.

The judge sided with the defense Monday, saying that while there is heightened concern around the case, the court cannot assume Withrow will not appear at a Wayne County hearing, and noted his risk assessment, while considered moderate, was not in the high category for failure to appear, the Pal Item reported.

When considering all aspects required in the motion filed be prosecutors, the judge said he would neither raise the bond nor implement additional supervisory measures, according to the newspaper’s report.

Withrow’s trial was set for Nov. 16.

Investigators accused Withrow of being intoxicated on drugs when he crashed a semitrailer into the back of a car July 10, killing Anesa Noel Acosta, 15; Quintin Michael McGowan, 13; Brekkin Riley Bruce, 8; and Trentin Beau Bruce, 6.

The driver of the car, Aaron Bruce, of Kansas City, Missouri, was critically injured and was taken to an Indianapolis hospital.




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