Driver charged in hit and run that killed local priest

ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind. -- A driver has been charged in the hit and run crash that killed Father Jan Klimczyk on Monday.

Shad Jeffrey has been charged with one count of leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death.

Charges were filed on Thursday against Jeffrey.

Investigators said Jeffrey was traveling westbound on W. Western near Chapel Lane when he hit Father Klimczyk, who was riding a bicycle.

The crash happened just before 9 p.m. Monday.

Court documents say a driver on Western Avenue stopped to remove debris on the road when they found Father Klimczyk lying in a ditch on the side of the road.

The person called 9-1-1.

Father Klimczyk was transported to the hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

Evidence at the scene showed the vehicle involved was possibly a Ford.

Footage from a nearby camera showed a white Ford F-150 pickup truck and saw the license plate number.

Officers went to the addresses associated with the truck, but were unable to locate it.

The following day, officers went to the address where the truck was registered and spoke with a woman who said the truck belonged to her son, Shad Jeffrey, according to the probable cause affidavit.

Officers went to Jeffrey's home and located the truck in the driveway.

Police said the vehicle had damage consistent with being involved in a crash, but it also appeared someone had attempted to clean it up, reports said.

Jeffrey was located and said he would talk to officers after talking to an attorney. He was taken into custody Tuesday evening, police said.

Jeffrey's daughter said he called her and told her he hit a bicycle, stopped and didn't see a person, so he left, according to the probable cause affidavit.

He later heard about the fatal hit and run and told her he thought it was his crash, reports said.