Driver involved in hit and run arrested

Terrence Clark, 21, was arrested in his home for allegedly leaving the scene of an accident resulting in serious bodily injury and operating while never licensed.

An IU student and a former IU student were riding a motorcycle Tuesday  when they were struck by a convertible  and left lying in the intersection of Third Street and Jordan Avenue as the driver of the convertible fled.

IU student Rebecca Coppa, 21, and former IU student Dmitriy Melkumov, 25, were
heading southbound on Jordan Avenue when the collision occurred around 2:40 p.m., according to Bloomington Police Officer Chris Guidry, who responded to the accident.

Clark, who was driving a black Chrysler Sebring convertible stopped for a moment at the scene before taking off westbound on Third Street. 

Clark turned the vehicle around in the T.I.S. College Bookstore parking lot, stopping to talk to people in front of Kinser Cleaners and Launderers, witnesses said. He then continued driving westbound on Third Street, away from the scene.

Witnesses noted the vehicle’s license plate number along with other distinguishing details of the car and driver.

Police found the car at the 2800 block of West Heartwood Court. A license plate search revealed that the owner of the vehicle was a 20-year-old female who the police had dealt with before, along with Clark.

A picture of Clark matched the description from witnesses. Police spoke with the female at Copper Beech Townhomes where she lives with Clark, her boyfriend. She told the officers Clark had picked her up from class in the convertible around 3 p.m. that day.

She informed officers that when she asked Clark about the front end damage to his vehicle, he told her it was the result of another vehicle striking him.

As she was speaking, the man the police were searching for entered the residence. Clark was arrested. When asked why he fled, Clark said he “freaked out.”

Coppa suffered a punctured lung that required surgery, while Melkumov had a broken arm, severe lacerations to the face and numerous contusions, according to the report.

— Rachel Stark