A trial date has been set for 2024 for a man accused of beating and dragging a young girl with a vehicle.
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Montgomery County civil court records show Jeffrey Atkinson’s trial is scheduled for May 18.
As NewsCenter 7 previously reported, Atkinson is accused of turning left into a crosswalk on Wayne Avenue in July 2024, hitting Ashley Escalante and dragging her for nearly half a mile.
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Witnesses helped police find him a few miles away at the Cowboy Lido Bar owned by Atkinson. They handcuffed him and, after several hours, tried to give him a sobriety test, but he refused.
In body camera footage, Atkinson admitted to police that he was drunk.
>>Related: ‘I was drunk;’ Bodycam shows driver accused of dragging 9-year-old in SUV arrested
His blood alcohol level was four times the legal limit at the time of the crash.
Police also found marijuana and a very strong prescription drug that causes drowsiness and dizziness in his body.
As previously reported, police say the entire incident was an avoidable tragedy.
“A man drove at four times the legal limit and now a girl’s life, her family and her community are forever changed because of it,” said Sgt. Dayton Police Traffic Services Unit Commander Gordon Cairns said.
>>Related: ‘I’m really grateful;’ 9-year-old girl dragged away by drunk driver thanks those who helped her
In December 2024, Escalante was interviewed by NewsCenter 7 after being released from the hospital. She had to have her leg amputated due to a car accident.
“I just want to say to him, I hope the Lord forgives him for what he did to me,” Escalante said.
Atkinson faces multiple charges, including child endangerment, aggravated vehicular assault, vehicular assault, failure to stop after an accident and OVI.
He remains in the Montgomery County Jail and is scheduled to appear in court for a preliminary hearing on April 30.
News Center Channel 7 will continue to pay attention to this matter.
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