VIGO COUNTY, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — We’re learning more about the fatal car vs pedestrian hit-and-run incident that killed a local Vietnam veteran.
The incident was first reported by a 911 call at 7:21 p.m. on Tuesday. Responding officers would find the victim, Gary B. Clark, 78, laying in the driving lane of northbound U.S. 41 just north of E. Gilchrist Drive with his belongings scattered along the roadway. Clark was pronounced deceased by EMS personnel at the scene.
Police said no witnesses of the incident were available, however it was reported that a red vehicle had been seen leaving the area. A day later, police would announce the arrest of 22-year-old Cedrick T. Rosette in relation to the case.
A probable cause affidavit filed in Vigo County Court reveals the details of why police believe Rosette was the suspect in the incident.
What police say happened
The morning after the incident, Wednesday, an Indiana State Police trooper who was not aware of the fatal incident reportedly spotted a man walking around the area with a red vehicle with its flashers on parked in the median crossover nearby. When asked if he needed help, the man reportedly told the trooper they had hit a deer the night before and lost an iPod case, but that he didn’t need assistance.
A short time later the trooper was made aware of the investigation into the death and returned to the area to find that the man and vehicle had left. Police said that the trooper later located the vehicle, a red Dodge Avenger, parked at a residence on Sweetleaf Street. Police said the vehicle had damage to the passenger side.
Sgt. Rader and other officers noticed extensive damage to the right side of the vehicle. Officers also noted white fibers located on the seal of the roof just above the passenger side door. Those were also collected due to plain view doctrine.
Probable Cause Affidavit filed in Vigo County Court
Rosette was located in the nearby residence and detained for questioning.
Rosette reportedly told police that he had been on his way to work in Paris, Illinois when he hit something, but didn’t stop because if he was late to work he would be fired.
“He said after the accident he was scared and called his friend [name redacted]. Rosette said he told [friend] he was 70% sure he struck a person, but his friend told him to calm down and it could have been a deer. Rosette advised that he was tormented at work whether it was a deer or person, and he thought in his mind it had to be a person,” the affidavit reads.
When the friend was interviewed by police he stated that Rosette had only claimed to have hit a deer and that “Rosette never said anything to him about possibly hitting a person.”
After conferring with Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Rob Roberts, Rosette was placed under arrest on the preliminary charge of leaving the scene of a fatal accident, a level 4 felony.
Court records show that Rosette is currently being held on a $30,000 bond in the Vigo County Jail. Judge Charles D. Johnson gave the the state 72-hours to file formal charges. Rosette is scheduled for an initial court hearing at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 13.
