Bond set at $20,000 in fatal hit-skip accident

2/24/2014

A Toledo man accused of driving into a woman and then leaving the scene was arraigned today in Toledo Municipal Court.

Derrick Gulch, 25, of 4234 Asbury Dr., is charged with failure to stop after an accident. He was ordered to remain in the Lucas County jail in lieu of $20,000 bond.

Police said Theressea James, 26, of East Hudson Street, was walking on North Detroit Avenue, near Willamont Road, when she was hit from behind; a passerby noticed her body and called it in to police Friday at 3:25 a.m.

Ms. James was pronounced dead at the scene.

A pickup belonging to Mr. Gulch was seized as evidence by police, who said they received a tip from a person who heard reports about the accident and provided a vehicle description and license-plate information. The vehicle is believed to have been southbound on Detroit when it hit Ms. James.

There are no sidewalks along the portion of North Detroit Avenue where Ms. James was walking when she was hit.