Background: Cody Churchwell appears during a court hearing (KPTV). Inset: Quinn Broyles, 13, who authorities say was struck and killed by Churchwell while riding an e-bike in Canby, Oregon (Canby police).
An Oregon plumber allegedly hit a 13-year-old girl riding an e-bike with his work van and left the scene, later telling police he felt a bump but did not believe he had struck anything.
Cody Churchwell, 31, faces charges of second-degree manslaughter, failure to perform the duties of a driver, reckless driving and reckless endangering in connection with the death of Quinn Broyles.
The Canby Police Department said Quinn was traveling in the bicycle lane in the 300 block of South Ivy Street at about 7:20 p.m. Thursday when a van struck her. The driver then reportedly fled.
Quinn was flown to a children’s hospital, where she later died from her injuries.
Investigators released surveillance footage showing the van and soon traced it to a local plumbing company, according to local Fox affiliate KPTV. Police found the vehicle several hours later at Churchwell’s home in Canby, roughly 20 miles south of Portland.
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At a bond hearing, prosecutors said the van had visible damage, including a leaking radiator, KPTV reported. Churchwell allegedly told officers that he “noticed a bump, but didn’t think he had hit anything.” He also said he did not begin drinking until after he returned home.
Quinn’s family shared a statement through the police department. They described her as a basketball team captain who loved dancing.
“In her short time here on earth, Quinn made an extraordinary impact on several communities, and countless lives,” her family said. “She wasn’t just a daughter, sister, friend, a teammate, a captain, a dancer. She was an inspirational young leader, whose love determination and character left a lasting impression on the youth in our communities.”
Churchwell remains held without bond at the Clackamas County Jail. He is scheduled to appear in court again Thursday.
The post Plumber describes 13-year-old girl he killed with work van as “a bump” he thought he went over, tells cops he “didn’t think he had hit anything”: Cops first appeared on Law & Crime.
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