Suspect in May hit-and-run wants case settled quickly

The defense attorney for a man who faces charges related to a May 4 fatal hit-and-run accident said he wanted the case to be put on a “quick track.”

Jake A. Deckert, 22, made his first appearance in Douglas County District Court Tuesday afternoon on three charges of failure to yield the right-of-way, felony leaving the scene of an accident and felony failure to report an accident.

Thomas Crum, 60, died in the wreck during the early morning hours at West Sixth Street and Gateway Drive, just west of Lawrence Avenue. Police found Deckert the next day.

Charges were not filed until July 11. Deckert’s attorney, Terrence Campbell, said Tuesday he had also not received all reports in the case but that he expected to get them soon from prosecutors. Campbell waived reading of the charges in court.

District Judge Paula Martin scheduled Deckert’s next court appearance for 2 p.m. Aug. 12 with District Judge Robert Fairchild.