Trial begins for man accused in deadly pursuit crash

DAYTON — Trial began Feb. 22 for the Dayton man facing charges related to a June 2020 crash that resulted in the death of one of his passengers.

Caleb Whitfield, 21, was accused hitting a detective’s vehicle and fleeing the scene on June 25.

Prosecutors said Whitfield then led deputies on pursuit before losing control of the vehicle and crashing into a house at the corner of North Dixie Drive and Hillsdale Avenue.

He was indicted on charges of aggravated vehicular homicide, failure to comply, vehicular assault and resisting arrest.

A Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office detective in Harrison Township spotted a stolen black Ford 500 being driven on Needmore Road. It had been stolen during an aggravated robbery.

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While trying to stop the car, Whitfield was accused of taking off before being taken into custody, prosecutors said.

One of the Whitfield’s passengers, Rodensha Thompson, of Vandalia, was killed as result of the crash. Two other passengers suffered minor injuries.

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Whitfield did not have a diver’s license at the time of the crash, according to the Montgomery County Prosecutor’s Office.