DA to meet with family of victim in fatal hit-and-run

Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson could decide as soon as next week whether to file charges against a 22-year-old Lawrence man police say was involved in a May hit-and-run fatality accident on West Sixth Street east of Kasold Drive.

Branson said he received final reports from the coroner’s office Friday morning, and he will meet on Monday with the family of Thomas Crum, the 60-year-old Lawrence man killed in the accident.

The accident occurred just before 2 a.m. May 4. Crum was driving a 1984 Pontiac east on Sixth Street when his vehicle was struck by a gray-colored 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee headed north on Gateway Court, police said. The driver of the Jeep left the scene.

A day later, police said they identified, located and questioned the driver of the Jeep. But he wasn’t arrested. The vehicle was tracked through identification numbers on Jeep parts found at the scene, police said.

Branson said his office will conduct a complete review of the accident before determining whether charges are filed against the driver. Earlier this week, Branson said his office was waiting on toxicology results to complete the report.

Crum had been celebrating his 60th birthday with family just before the accident.