A man was arrested and charged in connection with the death of a man hit by a car and killed in South Bend Saturday morning.
Douglas Grant, 44, was charged with leaving the scene of a fatality — a Level 5 Felony — in connection with the death of Rick Dale Rice, a news release from the St. Joseph County Prosecutor’s Office said. Rice was hit and killed by a car Saturday morning, June 20, in the parking lot of the Economy Inn at 3233 Lincoln Way West in South Bend, WNDU reported.
Police officers did not see Grant in the parking lot when they were called to the scene, according to court documents. However, police said Grant later returned to the parking lot in a black Toyota Tacoma pickup truck.
Grant told police officers Rice had approached his truck and grabbed the door handle, according to court documents. Grant said he drove away because he was scared Rice was going to rob him but added he did not hit him, according to court documents.
Police found that the tire treads were similar to the marks on Rice’s body and that there was human tissue under the truck, according to court documents.
Grant’s bond was set at $30,000 corporate surety or $3,000 cash, the release said.
Police are still investigating. Those who have any information about the incident or the events that preceded it should contact the County Metro Homicide Unit at 235-5009 or Crime Stoppers at 288-STOP.
