Ottawa County woman indicted in death of boy, 5

4/8/2005

An Ottawa County woman who was allegedly talking on a cell phone when she struck and killed 5-year-old Dameatrius McCreary after he stepped off an Oregon City Schools bus was indicted yesterday by a Lucas County grand jury.

Angelique M. Dipman, 27, of Clay Township was indicted on one count of aggravated vehicular homicide for the March 24 accident on Starr Avenue that killed Dameatrius, a Coy Elementary School student.

Ms. Dipman will be arraigned in Lucas County Common Pleas Court. A date for the hearing has not been scheduled. Conviction on the charge carries a maximum punishment of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Joseph Westmeyer, Jr., a Toledo attorney who represents Ms. Dipman, said she will enter a not guilty plea at the arraignment. "Beyond that, I have no comment," he said.

Dameatrius had just stepped off the bus and was attempting to cross Starr to get home from kindergarten when he was hit by Ms. Dipman's westbound car. The boy was pronounced dead at Toledo Hospital.

She told police she was distracted by her ringing cell phone when the accident occurred. She also told police she saw the bus but did not see the flashing red lights.

Ms. Dipman was arraigned in Oregon Municipal Court on March 29, and released on her own recognizance.

Ms. Dipman has been cited at least four times for speeding in a little more than five years, most recently in 2004 when Northwood police clocked her at 51 mph in a 35-mph zone. Lake Township police clocked her at 71 and 70 in a 55-mph zone in 2002.

Clay Township police clocked her driving 84 mph in a 55-mph zone in 1999. She also was cited for failing to wear a seat belt in 2003, for failing to place a child in a proper restraint in 1999, and for having no driver's license in 2004.