October 18, 1972

Hit and run suspect surrenders to police in Greenwood death

       A Chicago driver arrested by police in Indianapolis on a drunk driving charge only minutes after the hit-run traffic fatality which killed a 15-year-old Greenwood youth in Johnson County last Saturday night, has been charged with reckless driving and involuntary manslaughter in the boy’s death. Authorities said the suspect, identified as Steven B. Tewell, 24 surrendered to police in Indianapolis this morning. Warrants issued from the Greenwood City Court were to be served on him today. The traffic victim, Fredric Allen Marsh, son of Mr. and Mrs. Orron Marsh of Greenwood, was buried following funeral services today. Police say Tewell was arrested Saturday night at New York and Alabama Streets about 10:15 p.m. He was reportedly driving a 1971 Dodge Dart when stopped by an Indianapolis patrolman. Indianapolis Police, unaware the driver was wanted for questioning about the traffic fatality, released the car to a passenger in the auto. Tewell was placed under arrest for driving under the influence of alcohol and failure to yield at a preferential street. At 4:05 a.m. Sunday morning Tewell was released from jail on $500 bond and is reported to have returned to Chicago. Investigation into the hit-run fatality, meanwhile, took a turn when State Police learned that the auto believed involved in the hit-run was a late model Dodge Dart not a Chevrolet Camaro as first reported. Parts of the hit-run car found at the scene were examined and the description on the wanted car was changed. It was then that state police and Indianapolis authorities linked Tewell as allegedly being the hit-run driver. Tewell did not appear on the two traffic charges Monday in Municipal Court Room 5, police said. Two Indiana state police officers went to Chicago on Tuesday in an attempt to locate Tewell. Warrants charging Tewell with reckless homicide and manslaughter had been issued in Greenwood city court following a probable cause hearing late Tuesday morning. Re-arrest warrants on the traffic charges from the Indianapolis court had also been issued. The State Police officers returned to Chicago after Richard A. Carlton, 20, the passenger with Tewell when he was arrested Saturday night, gave them a statement that Tewell had already left Chicago and was returning to Indianapolis. Tewell was placed into custody after surrendering about 9 a.m. this morning, police said. No arraignment date has been set for Tewell on the traffic death charges.  (Reprinted with permission of the Daily Journal)

  

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