Posted in Felonies on March 16, 2014
James D. Schellhas, 28, was in Clark County Superior Court last week, suspected of hit-and-run injury and vehicular assault. The Yacolt man was held on $200,000 bail and a Vancouver defense attorney was appointed to represent him. He is scheduled to be arraigned March 21. Schellhas allegedly fled the scene of an accident without seeking help for the victim and called his wife to try to create an alibi.
Cody T. Robinson, 20, was in serious condition as of Friday. The senior deputy prosecutor said that it was unclear if Robinson would survive. If he passes away, the charges against Schellhas will be upgraded to vehicular homicide.
Schellhas allegedly ran a red light at about 5:30 a.m. Thursday at an intersection on Fourth Plain Boulevard, striking Robinson. He then drove away and did not call for help. He abandoned his vehicle at a McDonald’s and called his wife, telling her to report it as stolen. He was captured on surveillance video at McDonald’s taking off his jacket before entering the restroom, and exiting without the jacket. Police found Schellhas’ vehicle quickly and utilized a canine unit to search for the driver, but did not immediately find him. He was arrested at his home that afternoon.
Schellhas at first denied being involved in the accident, but eventually confessed to police. He said that he had a green light when he struck the victim and that Robinson had come out of nowhere, wearing dark clothing.
Source: The Columbian, “Man accused in hit-and-run asked wife to report SUV as stolen, prosecutor says,” Paris Achen, March 14, 2014.
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