Child killed after youth pastor let him hang off van: Police
Share and Follow

Youth pastor arrested after child dies

News footage of Rushon Patterson in court on Sept. 15 (WOIO).

An Ohio youth pastor faces felony charges including vehicular homicide after one of the children in the congregation died after he was thrown from a church van.

Rushon Patterson II, 26, is the youth pastor at the Alive Now Church in Canton, according to reporting by local CBS affiliate WOIO. On Sept. 6, Patterson was driving a van owned by the church when he allegedly allowed several teenagers to ride on the side of the van. According to a police report obtained by WOIO, most of the teens jumped off the van when they spotted a pothole in the road.

One boy, however, never saw the pothole. When Patterson drove over it, the boy was reportedly thrown from the van and hit his head.

Another police report stated that the boy was “ejected” from the van when it hit the pothole, and when his head hit the street, the injury ultimately resulted in his death.

Patterson now faces one count of vehicular homicide and one count of endangering children. He appeared in court on Monday, and his bail was set at $1 million cash. A judge stated in court that bond would be revisited during a status conference on Wednesday. Patterson is currently in custody at the Stark County Jail.

WOIO confirmed that the Ford van was owned by the Alive Now Church. The station also confirmed with the church that Patterson was a youth pastor there and that the alleged victim was part of the church congregation. The Alive Now Church did not provide any further comment.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like

Protective Circle of Raid Fails to Shield Infant from Insects, Police Report

Inset, left to right: Tashaye Brown and Nikolas Cummings (Flagler County Sheriff’s…

Homeowner Faces Murder Charges After Fatal Shooting of Armed Intruder: Legal Battle Unfolds

A resident of Texas has been indicted for murder after allegedly shooting…

Federal Prosecutors Probe Chilling Case of Ellen Greenberg: 1st-Grade Teacher Found with 20 Stab Wounds

Recent developments in the investigation of Ellen Greenberg, a Pennsylvania first-grade teacher…

Tragic Shooting: Neighbor Killed by Friend as Bullets Penetrate Wall and Couch During Dinner

 Inset: Victor Quispe (Green Funeral Home/Dignity Memorial). Background: David Grullon Jr. appears…

Chilling Crime: Son Murders Mother, Continues TV Show as If Nothing Happened

Inset: Zachary Hayes (Blount County Sheriff”s Office). Background: The area near where…

Tragic Discovery: Missing 8-Year-Old Girl Located Deceased After Extensive Search Effort

The tragic discovery of an 8-year-old girl from Arizona has sent shockwaves…

Florida Teen Admits Guilt in Tragic Case of Mother’s Fatal Stabbing While She Slept

In a Miami courtroom on Friday, Florida teenager Derek Rosa admitted to…

Federal Authorities Report Threat Against JD Vance: Man Allegedly Menaced with ‘Pipe Bombs’ During Family’s Disneyland Visit

U.S. Vice President JD Vance speaks during a press conference in the…