Driver faces up to 15 years in prison

A Marion man is accused of driving away after hitting and seriously injuring a pedestrian in Clintonville.

Trevor B. Gruetzmacher, 26, is charged with hit-and-run resulting in great bodily harm. He faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted.

Shortly before 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28, Clintonville Police Officers Dennis Schroeder and Wade Wudtke were dispatched to an accident on North 12th Street.

When they arrived at the scene, the officers found Steven Inger lying on the west side of the street, next to the curb.

Injer’s gray vehicle was found parked on North 12th Street with extensive damage to the driver’s side. The driver’s side rearview mirror was missing.

Neighbors told police they heard a crash, then looked outside and saw a man flailing on the road.

They also reported seeing a small pickup drive away.

While the officers were investigating the scene, Gruetzmacher walked to them and said he was the driver who had been involved in the accident, the complaint says.

According to the criminal complaint, Gruetzmacher drove a short distance, then stopped and called his mother. He allegedly was crying and said, “I think I killed someone.”

His mother told him to return to the scene and speak with the police, the complaint says.

Gruetzmacher’s license was suspended on July 3, 2015. Since then, court records indicate he has been convicted three times for operating after suspension.

Injer suffered a fractured pelvis and severe lacerations.