Teen Driver Faces Multiple Charges
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
A Warsaw teen made his initial court appearance Wednesday afternoon to face eight criminal charges.
Brandon Robinson, 18, silently held back tears as Judge Rex Reed read the counts against him.
Robinson is charged with three counts of driving while intoxicated causing death, three counts of reckless homicide and two counts of driving while intoxicated causing serious bodily injury.
He could face up to eight years in prison if he is convicted of the crimes or pleads guilty. He is still in custody of Kosciusko County Jail with his bond set at $10,000.
Robinson is accused of driving under the influence of alcohol Friday night when his pickup struck a car in Warsaw, killing three people in the car and critically injuring two others.
Reed entered the preliminary pleas of not guilty to the crimes. Robinson and his attorney have 20 days to change the plea or it becomes the formal plea.
The accident occurred at 8:28 p.m. at the intersection of Zimmer and Crystal Lake roads.
Aaron Hatfield, 17, the driver of the car, and Tyler Bartley, 12, were pronounced dead at the scene from massive injuries. Front seat passenger Heather Florey died later at Kosciusko Community Hospital.
Tiffany Bartley, 13, and infant Monica Hatfield were airlifted to Parkview Memorial Hospital, Fort Wayne. They are both listed in good condition today.
Robinson allegedly drank three beers before driving the pickup from Palestine to Warsaw.
According to the information for probable cause, police found Robinson sitting on the ground near the accident scene, crying. He reportedly told police that he ran his pickup north through the stop sign at the intersection without stopping and hit the car. Hatfield was apparently turning onto Zimmer Road.
Robinson was treated at KCH for an abrasion on his right arm that appeared to be injured when his airbag inflated.
Two of his passengers, Donald Ditton and Phillip Gagnon, were also arrested on charges of possession/consumption of alcohol by a minor.
Police reported in the affidavit that they found pipes and a bag containing what appeared to be marijuana in the pickup. They also allegedly found a beer can that apparently spilled onto the carpet, leaving a wet stain.
Two witnesses told police that the pickup passed them earlier on Ind. 25 at a high rate of speed.
Robinson walked into the courtroom slowly, clean-cut young man dressed in blue prison garb, looking around the room as if in a daze.
The charges were filed in Kosciusko Superior Court 3, but pro-tem judge Jamelyn Freeman was forced to appear for Robinson since his lawyer was out of the office Wednesday. Circuit Court Judge Reed stepped in to hold the initial hearing.
Before the hearing even began, Robinson stared at the judge with tears welling up in his eyes. He answered Reed's questions in a quiet near-whisper: "Yes, sir."
As Reed told him the charges, Robinson shut his eyes for a few moments, then began to cry silently, holding his head with his hand. He stared at Reed or looked occasionally at the charging information sheet.
Freeman reached over once to gently touch his back.
The initial hearing came only hours after the joint funeral services of Hatfield and Florey. [[In-content Ad]]
A Warsaw teen made his initial court appearance Wednesday afternoon to face eight criminal charges.
Brandon Robinson, 18, silently held back tears as Judge Rex Reed read the counts against him.
Robinson is charged with three counts of driving while intoxicated causing death, three counts of reckless homicide and two counts of driving while intoxicated causing serious bodily injury.
He could face up to eight years in prison if he is convicted of the crimes or pleads guilty. He is still in custody of Kosciusko County Jail with his bond set at $10,000.
Robinson is accused of driving under the influence of alcohol Friday night when his pickup struck a car in Warsaw, killing three people in the car and critically injuring two others.
Reed entered the preliminary pleas of not guilty to the crimes. Robinson and his attorney have 20 days to change the plea or it becomes the formal plea.
The accident occurred at 8:28 p.m. at the intersection of Zimmer and Crystal Lake roads.
Aaron Hatfield, 17, the driver of the car, and Tyler Bartley, 12, were pronounced dead at the scene from massive injuries. Front seat passenger Heather Florey died later at Kosciusko Community Hospital.
Tiffany Bartley, 13, and infant Monica Hatfield were airlifted to Parkview Memorial Hospital, Fort Wayne. They are both listed in good condition today.
Robinson allegedly drank three beers before driving the pickup from Palestine to Warsaw.
According to the information for probable cause, police found Robinson sitting on the ground near the accident scene, crying. He reportedly told police that he ran his pickup north through the stop sign at the intersection without stopping and hit the car. Hatfield was apparently turning onto Zimmer Road.
Robinson was treated at KCH for an abrasion on his right arm that appeared to be injured when his airbag inflated.
Two of his passengers, Donald Ditton and Phillip Gagnon, were also arrested on charges of possession/consumption of alcohol by a minor.
Police reported in the affidavit that they found pipes and a bag containing what appeared to be marijuana in the pickup. They also allegedly found a beer can that apparently spilled onto the carpet, leaving a wet stain.
Two witnesses told police that the pickup passed them earlier on Ind. 25 at a high rate of speed.
Robinson walked into the courtroom slowly, clean-cut young man dressed in blue prison garb, looking around the room as if in a daze.
The charges were filed in Kosciusko Superior Court 3, but pro-tem judge Jamelyn Freeman was forced to appear for Robinson since his lawyer was out of the office Wednesday. Circuit Court Judge Reed stepped in to hold the initial hearing.
Before the hearing even began, Robinson stared at the judge with tears welling up in his eyes. He answered Reed's questions in a quiet near-whisper: "Yes, sir."
As Reed told him the charges, Robinson shut his eyes for a few moments, then began to cry silently, holding his head with his hand. He stared at Reed or looked occasionally at the charging information sheet.
Freeman reached over once to gently touch his back.
The initial hearing came only hours after the joint funeral services of Hatfield and Florey. [[In-content Ad]]