Bloomington resident Madelyn Howard, who allegedly struck and killed an IU student riding an electric scooter in a hit-and-run incident Sept. 18, has been charged with three felonies by Monroe County Prosecutor Erika Oliphant.
Related: [20-year-old man dead after being hit by car while riding e-scooter]
Howard, 22, was charged with reckless homicide, allegedly operating a vehicle while intoxicated resulting in death and leaving the scene of an accident resulting in serious bodily injury or death while intoxicated. All three charges are felonies.
Nate Stratton, 20, died Sept. 18 after Howard, allegedly driving drunk, reportedly hit him with her car at the intersection of North Walnut Street and East 12th Street around 2 a.m. Stratton had been making his way back from the Raising Cane’s restaurant. Bloomington Police Department officers responded to the scene and found a black 2012 Mercedes Benz with damage to the windshield and a damaged e-scooter nearby, according to WBIW News.
Related: [Loved ones remember the life of IU junior Nate Stratton]
A security officer that had been driving through the area told police officers they had seen the car driving north on Lincoln Street after the crash, and that it sounded like the car was dragging something on the ground. The security officer said they heard people tell the occupants of the vehicle that they were dragging an e-scooter under the car, and bystanders helped the driver remove it prior to IU Police Department officers arriving at the scene, according to WBIW News.
Stratton, originally from Excelsior, Minnesota, was a junior in the Kelley School of Business. Students and family held a vigil Sept. 22 to commemorate him.
Related: [‘I would’ve wished for a lifetime more’: Vigil commemorates Nate Stratton’s life]
Howard’s initial court hearing is scheduled for Sept. 30 at the Monroe County Justice Building, located at 301 N. College Avenue.
