Man found guilty in pedestrian hit-and-run death

TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG) - James A. Byrd, 38, was found guilty Friday on multiple charges stemming from the hit-and-run death of a pedestrian in October.

Byrd withdrew his previous “not guilty” plea and entered a plea of “no contest” on charges of failure to stop, operating under the influence, and aggravated vehicular homicide. He will be sentenced on January 3rd.

According to Toledo Police, Herman King, 67, was crossing Cherry St. at N. Superior when he was hit by a car driven by Byrd, Jr., 38. Byrd continued to drive for more than a block with King laying on the trunk of the car before he fell on the street.

Byrd fled the scene over the King Bridge, but witnesses followed from a distance and alerted authorities on the suspect’s location. He was apprehended in the 600 block of Willard.

King was taken to the hospital, where he died from his injuries.