WARREN Hit-skip suspect surrenders license

A preliminary hearing is expected later this month.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- A Portage County man police believe was driving a Ford Explorer that struck a 5-year-old boy on Sunday was arrested Thursday on a felony charge of failure to stop at an accident.
Darrell Kirkwood, 38, of Nelson pleaded innocent Thursday in the courtroom of municipal Judge Thomas Gysegem.
Kirkwood was released on a $2,500 bond and ordered to give his driver's license to the court. He is scheduled to return to court later this month for a preliminary hearing.
Police were able to track information that Kirkwood had traded the Explorer with a friend Tuesday for another vehicle.
Police said Kirkwood was driving his vehicle Sunday on Glenwood Street N.E. when he struck MarQuis Gary, who was riding his bicycle.
MarQuis spent two days in intensive care at St. Elizabeth Health Center. He was released Wednesday and is recovering at home.
Family members and city officials were upset that police did not release the information about the hit-skip to the public. Barbara Thornton, MarQuis' grandmother, notified the press Monday afternoon.
Notifying media
Mayor Hank Angelo said he is asking the police chief to give him a statement in writing explaining why the information was not given to the press.
Police Chief John Mandopoulos has not returned telephone calls seeking comment.
Sgt. Larry Salvato, who is in charge of the traffic division, was off work Sunday and Monday. He said he did not know why the information was not released and noted there must have been a "foul-up."
Family members, however, said they have been pleased with Salvato and officer Ben Harrell's work.
Near where MarQuis was hit, the city has erected signs urging drivers to slow down.
An account has been established at Cortland Banks to help MarQuis' family with the medical bills.
sinkovich@vindy.com