From WRIL -
On Monday, August 9, 2021, at 8:59am Middlesboro Dispatch received a call of a pedestrian struck at the intersection of Cumberland Avenue and 30th Street by a vehicle described by eyewitnesses as a red or maroon minivan.
Once on scene Middlesboro Police and Middlesboro Fire/EMS found an elderly woman that had been hit and was unconscious. The woman was treated on scene and taken to Middlesboro ARH to be flown by Air Evac to UT Hospital where she remains in serious condition.
Those who saw the incident also told police that the male driver did look back and continued driving after seeing that he had struck the woman. Middlesboro Officer Dakota Torstrick then put out a be-on-the-lookout for a vehicle matching the description of the witnesses.
A short time after 5:00pm Officer Torstrick located the red Mazda at a residence on Sparks Lane. The owner of the vehicle, identified as 51-year-old Rickey Fesler of Middlesboro, was attempting to repair damage done by the impact of the accident. Fesler also threw a container of suspected Marijuana to get rid of it as he was approached.
Fesler was positively identified by a witness as the driver in question by a tattoo and photo lineup. The witness also positively identified the vehicle.
Rickey Fesler was arrested and lodged in the Bell County Detention Center charged with assault -1st degree, (2) two counts of tampering with physical evidence, possession of Marijuana, operating on a suspended license, leaving the scene of an accident – failure to render aid or assistance, failure to maintain insurance, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Also assisting were Officers Jeremiah Johnson, Brad Fuson, Ryan Collins, Sgt. Kenny Vanover, and Sgt. Barry Cowan.