North Liberty man charged in hit-and-run crash with pedestrian

A North Liberty man was arrested over the weekend on charges that he hit a pedestrian with his car in November and left the scene.

Ta’Gian Hughes, 25, is charged with two counts of leaving the scene of an accident, and one count each of serious injury by vehicle, operating a vehicle while intoxicated and driving while license suspended.

  Buy Photo

According to criminal complaints, Hughes was driving a Jeep east on W. Penn Street when he hit Carson Boyle, 21, of Urbandale, who was crossing the street at 925 Liberty Way, in front of the Tin Roost restaurant. The crash happened at 9:38 p.m. Nov. 15.

Boyle was taken to the hospital with serious, life-threatening injuries. The complaints don’t indicate the current status of Boyle’s injuries.

Hughes continued driving without stopping after hitting Boyle, according to a warrant request filed in December. He drove to Pancheros Mexican Grill at 650 Community Dr. and then to a parking lot on Savannah Drive. He switched cars in the parking lot and returned to the Pancheros, where he was later located by police.

Hughes was interviewed by police and admitted to smoking marijuana earlier in the day. He also said he thought he had hit a deer, the warrant request states.

According to a criminal complaint, Hughes provided a urine sample that later tested positive for marijuana, ecstasy and a benzodiazepine.

Hughes was arrested Sunday and had his first appearance in court Monday. He’s being held in the Johnson County Jail on a $10,000 bail.

Comments: (319) 398-8328; emily.andersen@thegazette.com