Youngstown man faces prison term for hit-skip death in July

YOUNGSTOWN — A man accused of hitting a cyclist who later died will likely be heading to prison for about four years.

Justin T. Clark, 19, of West Ravenwood Avenue, was charged with failure to stop after an accident, a felony, in early August. He pleaded guilty to that charge Wednesday in the courtroom of Judge R. Scott Krichbaum of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court.

Clark faces a maximum of five years in prison on the charge. Prosecutors have recommended he serve a four-year term. Judge Krichbaum will sentence Clark on Dec. 16.

Police said Shelton Harris, 57, of Sherwood Avenue, was riding his bicycle along the 100 block of Hudson Avenue about 10 a.m. July 6 when he was struck by a blue Oldsmobile Cutlass.

Harris was carried about 200 feet with the impact of the collision.

Detective Sgt. Patricia Garcar said two people in the car got out and ran after striking Harris, leaving the Oldsmobile at the accident scene. Clark was one of the people who fled, and police said he was the driver. She said the car was not reported stolen.