By JAMES MITCHELL
Sunday Times Newspapers
TAYLOR – A 35-year-old Taylor man was charged for his role in a hit-and-run that killed a 17-year-old Kennedy High School student.
Justin Robert Saum was charged by Wayne County Prosecutor Kym L. Worthy with four counts including driving on a suspended license while causing death and leaving the scene of an accident causing death.
Saum allegedly was driving a pickup truck when, about 7 p.m. Feb. 27, he struck a motor scooter driven by Austin McCumber near the intersection of Joan and Harold streets in the city’s north end.
McCumber and a passenger, 17-year-old Truman High School student Marin Peter Jamie, were both transported to Beaumont Hospital — Dearborn. Jamie was released by Sunday; McCumber died from his injuries early Monday morning.
Taylor Police Chief Mary Sclabassi said the tragic death seemed to have been the result of an unfortunate error.
“From all accounts the crash appears to be an accident,” Sclabassi said. “The boys disregarded the stop sign.”
Sclabassi said, however, Saum failed to stop at the scene of an accident. Saum had turned himself in to police on Monday and was held while the investigation continued.
McCumber’s parents said via social media that Austin’s passing would provide the gift of life for up to 40 patients through organ donation. McCumber leaves his parents, Jeff McCumber and Lisa Schiffer; brothers JJ, Codi and Justin; and sister Justyne.
A crowd-funding campaign to help the family with expenses has been set up at www.gofundme.com/j2s95myk.
Assistant Wayne County Prosecutor Maria Miller said Saum is expected to be arraigned Thursday in 23rd District Court on charges of driving with license suspended causing death, leaving the scene of an accident causing death, driving with license suspended causing serious injury and leaving the scene of a serious injury accident.
(James Mitchell can be reached at [email protected])
