A teenager has been tried as an adult for allegedly causing the death of a University of Cincinnati student in a hit-and-run incident. The incident occurred in September 2022 when two pedestrians were crossing Jefferson Avenue in a designated crosswalk. They were hit by a stolen 2014 Honda CR-V that ran through a red light. The car then collided with a tree before coming to a stop at West Martin Luther King Drive. The driver of the stolen vehicle fled the scene on foot.
Both victims sustained serious injuries and were taken to the hospital, but unfortunately, 18-year-old Cayden Turner succumbed to his injuries. The police determined that the Honda CR-V had been stolen, leading to a search for the driver.
Last week, the authorities announced the arrest of a 17-year-old boy named Michael Quarles in connection with the fatal crash. Quarles has been charged with multiple offenses, including aggravated vehicular homicide, vehicular assault, carrying a concealed weapon, improperly handling firearms in a motor vehicle, receiving stolen property (two counts), and failure to stop after an accident.
The case was transferred from juvenile court to adult court by Judge Kari Bloom, and a jury ultimately found Quarles guilty. This decision means that Quarles will face the consequences of his actions as an adult.
The tragic incident has once again brought attention to the issue of reckless driving and stolen vehicles. It serves as a reminder of the importance of obeying traffic laws and the devastating consequences that can result from irresponsible behavior behind the wheel.
The University of Cincinnati community mourns the loss of Cayden Turner and hopes that this trial will bring some measure of justice and closure to his family and friends.