Suspect in body dragging summoned on felony count

The victim was dragged underneath a car on the South Side.

Staff Report

YOUNGSTOWN — A Canfield man is facing arraignment for his suspected involvement in an automobile-related death last month.

Bryce D. Burke, 26, has been summoned to appear in municipal court today on charges related to the death of Andrew Culp.

Burke, of Mercedes Place, Canfield, is being arraigned on a felony count of failing to stop after an accident, said Capt. Kenneth Centorame, chief of detectives.

Burke is believed by police to have been the driver of a vehicle that dragged Culp, 22, of North Main Street, Columbiana, to his death Nov. 29.

A witness called 911 and told the dispatcher he saw a body being dragged underneath the car in front of him in the drive-through of the McDonald’s at the corner of South Avenue and Midlothian Boulevard. Centorame said 911 dispatchers received a call about 1 a.m. alerting them of the car.

One witness said that when the driver was informed of the body, he got out of his car to look, and then drove away without receiving or paying for the food.

When officers arrived, the car already had fled the scene.

The body was found in the westbound lane of Midlothian Boulevard near Euclid Boulevard, about two blocks from the restaurant.

After consulting with multiple witnesses and recovering evidence, Detective Sgts. John Kelty and Patrick Kelly were led to Burke, Centorame said.