Rushon Patterson II, a 26-year-old youth pastor from Ohio, is currently facing severe charges, including vehicular homicide, in connection with the tragic death of a child from his church. The fatal incident occurred when the child was thrown from a van owned by the church, which Patterson was driving at the time.
The incident transpired on September 6. Patterson, who serves as a youth pastor at the Alive Now Church in Canton, Ohio, was behind the wheel of the church’s van. He is alleged to have allowed several teenagers to ride on the side of the vehicle. Police reports indicate that most of the teenagers jumped off the van upon spotting a pothole in the road. However, one boy failed to notice the pothole and was ejected from the van as it drove over the pothole, sustaining a fatal head injury.
Further investigations by the police confirmed that the boy was indeed thrown from the van upon impact with the pothole, and the resulting head injury led to his untimely death. This tragic event has resulted in Patterson being charged with one count of vehicular homicide and one count of endangering children.
Patterson made his first court appearance on Monday, where his bail was set at $1 million in cash. The presiding judge stated that the bond would be reconsidered during a status conference scheduled for Wednesday. Currently, Patterson remains in custody at the Stark County Jail.
Local CBS affiliate WOIO confirmed that the van involved in the incident was owned by the Alive Now Church. The station also verified Patterson’s role as a youth pastor at the church and the deceased boy’s membership in the church congregation. The Alive Now Church has yet to comment further on the incident.