INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (July 23, 2015)–
Police have made an arrest in the fatal hit-and-run crash that killed 27-year-old Thomas Abell last month.
Jayme Murphy, 26, was arrested Thursday on a charge of leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death, a level 5 felony. Police said Murphy was located in a home in the 8100 block of E. 50th Street.
Jayme Murphy
Family members canvassed the area for three weeks, seeking information about Abell’s death.
Abell’s brother said he was an avid runner and enjoyed spending time with his family. Abell graduated from IUPUI with a biology degree and was working as a lab assistant.
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Family puts up flyers, asks for tips in deadly north side hit-and-run
Flyers with Thomas Abell’s photo can be spotted all along Kessler Boulevard and in near-by neighborhoods. Nearly three weeks have passed since the 27-year-old man was killed in a hit-and-run at Kessler Boulevard and Crestview Avenue.
The driver involved in the June 28 incident has never been found. Police do not have a good vehicle description or many leads.
“Finding the person won’t bring my little brother back, but it will do a little bit in the justice for his memory,” said Michael Abell.
Family members frustrated with the lack of answers decided to print out flyers. Abell’s older, Michael, is going door-to-door to talk with residents and ask for tips in his brother’s death. So far family and friends have delivered more than 1,000 flyers in the Meridian-Kessler neighborhood and surrounding area.
“He’s been greatly missed and there isn’t a moment that goes by that he’s not on the forefront of our minds,” said Abell.
Abell said his brother was an avid runner and enjoyed spending time with his family. He graduated from IUPUI with a biology degree and was working as a lab assistant.
“Just know that the person you struck was a human being with a life, people who loved him. We just want you to do the right thing, come forward turn yourself in and help our family out with the grieving process,” said Abell.
Two years ago neighbors started a petition to put in sidewalks along the busy stretch of Kessler where Abell was killed. Residents hope the young man’s death will show city officials see why they’ve been so worried about safety.
“It’s terribly frustrating to watch the folks go back and forth and have absolutely no where to go. It’s a completely hazardous situation, it’s dangerous as heck,” said Roy Schroeder, who lives near Kessler and Crestview.
A DPW spokesperson said engineers have assessed the area and identified it as in need of a sidewalk.
Anyone with information about the hit-and-run is being asked to call Crime Stoppers (317) 262-TIPS.