DETROIT (AP) — A Detroit teenager was charged Monday in the
mob beating of a suburban motorist who had accidentally hit a
10-year-old boy who stepped in front of his truck.
Wayne County
prosecutors charged Bruce Wimbush Jr., 17, with assault with intent to
commit murder and do great bodily harm. He was scheduled to be arraigned
Monday afternoon.
Police say a group of at least six people
descended on 54-year-old Steve Utash after the accident Wednesday.
Utash, of Macomb County’s Clinton Township, was severely beaten and
hospitalized.
Police arrested Wimbush and a 16-year-old boy
Saturday. Prosecutors say the younger teen hasn’t been charged but will
appear Monday in juvenile court. Authorities have five days to determine
whether someone is charged as an adult.
Prosecutors say they don’t believe Wimbush has an attorney.
The boy was treated for a leg injury.
The case has outraged the public, clergy and elected officials. Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan called the
attack "senseless."
Prosecutor
Kym Worthy said in a statement that the case is "unbelievably tragic,"
but declined further comment "because this investigation is continuing
and widening."
A web page launched to accept donations for Utash’s
medical bills has raised about $117,000 by Monday afternoon. The tree
trimmer has no medical insurance.
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