An investigation is continuing through the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office for an incident involving a 16-year-old juvenile male who succumbed to his injuries following a “hit and run” Sunday morning.
On June 23 just after 2:30 a.m., Clinton County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a report of an unresponsive 16-year-old juvenile male who appeared to have been struck by a vehicle, authorities said.
Deputies reported that preliminary evidence at the scene indicated that the male was walking on the westbound side of US 421, or Clay Avenue, north of State Road 26, near Day and Genda Funeral Home, when he was struck by a southbound vehicle. Authorities reported that following the initial collision, the vehicle fled the scene.
Lifesaving measures were reportedly performed by the juvenile’s mother, deputies and other first responders at the scene before the juvenile was transported to an area hospital in critical condition, and the Sheriff’s Office released Monday evening that the juvenile, identified as Reese East, 16, succumbed to his injuries.
The department released information regarding the suspect vehicle, stating that a search has begun to locate a vehicle with front-end damage on the passenger side of the vehicle. A community member has increased the cash reward for information that leads to an arrest of the suspect or suspects involved in the incident, bringing the reward to $1,000.
Community member Tiffany Fuel launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for the family, which may be found here. As of 11 a.m. on Tuesday, June 25, the fundraiser has raised just over $1,800 toward the $10,000. The Sheriff’s Office stated that the fundraiser launched by Fuel is the only fundraiser currently active for the family, and any other fundraiser for the family should be verified before a donation is presented.
Community members with additional information regarding the incident are encouraged to contact investigators at 765-659-6394 or the tip line at 765-656-8477.
The investigation is ongoing, and updates and suspect information will be released by the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office as it becomes available. No further information has been released as of 11 a.m. on Monday, June 24.
Deputies were assisted on the scene by Clinton County EMS, Clinton County Central Dispatch, Carroll County Sheriff’s Office and Rossville Volunteer Fire Department.