Trial date set for man accused of hitting, dragging young girl with car
A trial date has been set in 2024 for the man accused of hitting and dragging a young girl with his car.
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Montgomery County Common Pleas Court records show Jeffrey Atkinson’s trial is set for May 18.
As previously reported by News Center 7, Atkinson is accused of turning left at the crosswalk on Wayne Boulevard in July 2024, hitting Ashley Escalante and dragging her for about a half-mile.
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Witnesses helped police track Atkinson miles away to Cowboys Lido Bar, the bar he owned. They handcuffed him and tried to give him a sobriety test hours later, but he refused.
Atkinson admitted to officers on body camera footage that he was drunk.
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He had a blood alcohol level four times the legal limit when the accident occurred.
Officers also discovered marijuana and a very strong prescription drug in his system that caused drowsiness and dizziness.
As previously reported, police said this entire situation was a tragedy that could have been prevented.
“One person got behind the wheel at four times the legal limit, and now a girl’s life, family and community have been changed forever because of it,” said Sgt. said Dayton Police Traffic Services Unit Commander Gordon Cairns.
>>RELATED: ‘I really appreciate it;’ 9-year-old boy dragged by drunk driver, thanked those who helped him
Escalante spoke to News Center 7 in December 2024 after being released from the hospital. He had to have his leg amputated as a result of the accident.
“I just want to tell him that I hope God forgives him for what he did to me,” Escalante said.
Atkinson faces several charges, including child endangerment, aggravated vehicular assault, vehicular assault, failure to stop after an accident and OVI.
He remains in custody at the Montgomery County Jail and is scheduled to appear in court for a preliminary hearing on April 30.
News Center 7 will continue to follow this story.
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