No one has yet been charged in the hit-and-run crash that killed Kent State junior Colin Pho Aug. 22.

Timothy Michael Brind Jr. was identified as the driver involved in the crash with Pho, according to the crash report from the Ravenna Post of the Ohio Highway Patrol. Brind fled the scene, police said.

In the state of Ohio, fleeing the scene of an accident is considered an automatic crime, and Brind could be charged with a felony, regardless of what caused the accident.

Brind cannot be charged with any crimes until after the investigation is completed, which the State Highway Patrol said is set to wrap up in the next few weeks after it investigates the final details.

Once the investigation concludes, a prosecutor will receive a report of the incident. Typically, a grand jury would then examine the facts and determine if there is probable cause to charge Brind.

Pho was a 22-year-old computer science major with a minor in theater at Kent State’s Ashtabula campus. According to the crash report, Brind’s car struck him while he rode his electric scooter eastbound on Summit Street near Dix Stadium. Pho was heading home from his job at Pho King, a local Vietnamese restaurant.

“Losing a child is the worst experience to have,” Jonathan Pho, his father, said. “It’s a nightmare every single day and we definitely miss Colin. He’s a model son; he’s got a bright future. It was just devastating when we lost him.”

Injuries from electric scooters, electric bikes and hoverboards have increased 127% since 2017, according to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Kent State University partnered with the SPIN company, which placed 100 eBikes and 100 eScooters throughout campus for community use. Colin Pho was riding his own electric scooter at the time of the crash.

“I’m very happy with Kent State’s response to his accident,” Johnathan Pho said. “I hate to say, but hopefully this accident can make the public aware that this trend [of scooter deaths] is increasing. Prevent a future death.”

Jonathan Pho said a tree will be planted in his son’s honor, and he plans to add a bench beside it. He wants there to be increased warnings to students of the dangers of electric scooters and for Summit Road to be made into a safer place for pedestrians.

“Hopefully, if this indictment goes to decision of guilty […] some legislation to make a warning to the public that electric scooters need to have more safety precautions [will be passed],” Jonathan Pho said. “We will definitely like to have change occurring after this indictment, not for the sentence, just to make the public aware that electric scooters are not safe.”

It will likely be several weeks until a decision is made on the case as the investigation wraps, said Sergeant Ray Santiago of the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

Jillian Flack is a reporter. Contact her at [email protected].