Detroit teen charged in mob beating of driver

DETROIT (AP) — A Detroit teenager was charged Monday in the mob beating of a suburban motorist who had accidentally hit a 10-year-old boy who stepped in front of his truck...

Adam Howard

Apr 7, 2014

DETROIT (AP) — A Detroit teenager was charged Monday in the mob beating of a suburban motorist who had accidentally hit a 10-year-old boy who stepped in front of his truck.

Wayne County prosecutors charged Bruce Wimbush Jr., 17, with assault with intent to commit murder and do great bodily harm. He was scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday.

Police say a group of at least six people descended on 54-year-old Steve Utash after the accident Wednesday. Utash, of Macomb County’s Clinton Township, was severely beaten and hospitalized.

Police arrested Wimbush and a 16-year-old boy Saturday. Prosecutors say the younger teen hasn’t been charged but was scheduled to appear Monday in juvenile court. Authorities have five days to determine whether someone is charged as an adult.

Prosecutors say they don’t believe Wimbush has an attorney.

The boy was treated for a leg injury.

The case has outraged the public, clergy and elected officials. Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan called the attack “senseless.”

Prosecutor Kym Worthy said in a statement that the case is “unbelievably tragic,” but declined further comment “because this investigation is continuing and widening.”

A web page launched to accept donations for Utash’s medical bills has raised about $117,000 by Monday afternoon. The tree trimmer has no medical insurance.