DAYTON — A man accused of dragging a then-9-year-old girl half a mile with his SUV may not head to trial as she continues to recover.
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Jeffrey Atkinson appeared in court on Thursday.
On July 22, 2024, witnesses pointed Atkinson out to police moments after prosecutors said he drove through a family of five in a crosswalk on Wayne Avenue.
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The collision pulled 9-year-old Ashley Escalante under the tires for half a mile.
A Montgomery County Judge set a trial date for Atkinson after his lawyer declined a suppression hearing because he’s working on a potential plea deal.
Escalante, who recently turned 10, now has a prosthetic leg and has had to make major adjustments.
Ashley’s parents, Carlos Escalante and Mayra Martinez, spoke about that day.
Carlos said he believed Atkinson had killed his daughter.
He also said he had a chance to stop after the initial impact and will never forget his face.
“I got to the passenger window and I watch his face and I say ‘stop, please, stop,” Carlos said.
Ashley has had multiple surgeries, lost part of her leg and has undergone endless therapy.
Marya said she had to learn how to walk again. She has a lot of feelings about the day that changed her daughter.
She thinks about how Atkinson stopping just a few seconds earlier could have made a difference.
Carlos said his daughter is improving every day, but it’s still hard.
“That breaks my heart because it’s my princess, my daughter, somebody (has) a kid, they can understand,” Carlos said. “..He changed her life.”
We will continue to follow this story.
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