MITCHELL– A Mitchell man is facing charges of leaving the scene of a property damage accident after a crash on State Road 450 on the morning of Friday, April 25, 2025. Christopher L. A. Turpin, 41, of Mitchell, was identified as the owner of a Ford F-150 found on its side in a field.
According to an affidavit for probable cause filed by Deputy C. Pruett of the Lawrence County Police Department, authorities were alerted to the crash at approximately 12:14 a.m. by an Apple crash alert system notification. Lawrence County Central Dispatch attempted to contact the phone number associated with the alert, but was unsuccessful. Moments later, a passerby reported a vehicle off the roadway, on its side, west of the Goose Lane intersection, with no one in or around it.
Upon arrival, Deputy Pruett found a beige 2019 Ford F-150, registered to Turpin, resting on its driver’s side on top of a damaged wooden fence. Tire marks indicated the vehicle had left the roadway and entered the field.
Deputy Pruett contacted Turpin, who stated he had let a “buddy” drive his truck but refused to provide the friend’s name. Turpin claimed he was in Mitchell at the time of the crash and could not explain how his phone’s crash alert provided the accurate location. He told Deputy Pruett he would contact his friend and then call the Sheriff’s Department with more information.
After the vehicle was towed from the scene, Deputy Pruett attempted to reach Turpin again for the friend’s information, but reported that multiple calls had gone unanswered. On April 26, Deputy Pruett again spoke with Turpin, who still refused to provide the name of the individual driving his truck. Turpin was informed that the responsibility for the crash report would fall on him if he did not provide the information, and he stated he would call back in ten minutes; however, he failed to do so.
Based on the investigation, Deputy Pruett requested an arrest warrant for Christopher Turpin for leaving the scene of a property damage accident. Turpin was detained on Thursday, June 5.
A Probable Cause Affidavit outlines the initial findings and allegations that led to an arrest. Criminal charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
