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A Delaware County jury convicted a man Thursday of reckless homicide and obstruction of justice for his role in a fatal September 2020 car crash in Muncie.
According to the Delaware County Prosecutor’s Office, the jury deliberated for more than three hours before convicting Melvin Weaver, 31.
Weaver, whose last known address was in Indianapolis, was convicted of reckless homicide, a Level 5 felony; obstruction of justice, a Level 6 felony; and driving while suspended, a Class A misdemeanor.
He could face up to six years in prison for the reckless homicide conviction and up to a $10,000 fine.
According to a probable cause affidavit, on Sept.26, 2020, the Indiana State Police were dispatched to a serious personal injury/fatal crash on U.S. 35 at E. McGalliard Road in Muncie.
Weaver was driving his 2009 Chevrolet Silverado northbound on U.S. 35 in the right-hand lane when he collided with a 1972 Triumph, driven by Matthew Adams, that was in front of him.
The Triumph then struck the rear of a vehicle that was in front of it.
Adams was pronounced dead at the scene.
On the witness statement form Weaver filled out, under the name and date of birth, he put “Malvin Weaver DOB: 02/03/1973.”
A state trooper that spoke with Weaver at the scene thought he looked too young to have been born in 1973.
The trooper ran a driver’s license inquiry on the name and date of birth he had written in his statement.
The picture on the computer and the physical description did not match the driver.
When the state trooper asked Weaver about it, Weaver stated that he didn’t mean to put that name on the paper. He stated that it’s his father’s name and that he wasn’t thinking right.
He verbally identified himself as Melvin Lee Weaver, with a 1992 birthday.
Weaver did not have a driver’s license or ID on his person and a records check revealed Weaver’s license was suspended.
According to the affidavit, Weaver stated in his video recorded statement that he had his cruise control set and was traveling between 55 and 65 miles per hour.
However, data retrieved from his vehicle’s airbag control module revealed that two-and-a-half seconds before impact, Weaver was traveling 75 MPH.
Weaver’s speed was reduced to 68 miles per hour half a second before impact.
In a released statement, Delaware County Prosecuting Attorney Eric Hoffman said “My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Matthew Adams. I am fully aware that nothing can bring Matthew back. However, hopefully this verdict can bring some form of comfort and a step towards closure. I also believe that the penalty for reckless homicide is far too lenient. I call on the Indiana General Assembly to toughen the penalty for the offense.”
Sentencing for Weaver is scheduled for Feb. 26 in Delaware Circuit Court No. 3.
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