A Springfield man is facing multiple felony charges after police say he struck and killed a pedestrian, left the crash scene and later appeared to have a teenager behind the wheel of the same SUV.
The victim was identified as 50-year-old Darryl Moore, who was hit shortly after 11 p.m. Sept. 4 near Ridge Road and North Limestone Street in Springfield, Ohio. Moore was taken to Springfield Regional Medical Center and later flown to Miami Valley Hospital, where he died from his injuries.
Investigators say Moore was walking along North Limestone Street while pulling a wheeled trash container. Surveillance footage obtained during the investigation showed him entering an unmarked crosswalk on Ridge Road when a light-colored Chevrolet Tahoe turned onto the road and struck him.
According to court documents, the impact knocked Moore to the pavement and the SUV continued over him before leaving the area. Investigators later found debris at the scene that was consistent with a Chevrolet. The vehicle did not stop after the crash.
Police began working to identify the SUV and its driver. The vehicle’s owner told investigators that Dowler had been with her earlier that evening and had consumed a significant amount of alcohol. She also reported that he later left the area in her Chevrolet Tahoe without permission.
A friend contacted Dowler shortly after the crash. According to the probable-cause affidavit, Dowler answered the call but said he could not talk and indicated that he had seriously “messed up.”
The investigation took another turn when an Ohio State Highway Patrol trooper located the Tahoe shortly before 1 a.m. on Sept. 5. A 15-year-old was behind the wheel, while Dowler was sitting in the front passenger seat.
Investigators later determined that the teenager’s whereabouts at the time of the crash were supported by other information gathered during the investigation. Police said the teen had been with a grandmother around the time of the collision and was not believed to have been driving when Moore was struck.
According to the investigation, the teenager and others had also contacted authorities after encountering the crash area while looking for Dowler.
When questioned by police, Dowler acknowledged drinking earlier that night but said he did not remember the Tahoe being involved in a crash. He repeatedly maintained that he had been sitting in the passenger seat.
Investigators reached a different conclusion after reviewing surveillance footage, physical evidence, vehicle information, witness accounts and Dowler’s statements. Police said those pieces of evidence gave them probable cause to believe Dowler was driving the Tahoe when it struck Moore.
Dowler was arrested and booked into the Clark County Jail. He is facing charges including aggravated vehicular homicide and vehicular homicide, along with traffic charges related to the crash, including allegations that he failed to yield and failed to stop after the accident.
Dowler appeared before a Clark County judge on Sept. 8 as the case moved forward. The investigation remains active, and additional legal proceedings are expected as prosecutors continue reviewing the evidence.
The allegations against Dowler have not been proven in court. He is presumed innocent unless and until he is found guilty.
