Scioto County – Sheriff David Thoroughman states that detectives have continued their investigation of the fatal ATV crash that was reported on March 26, 2023. The ATV crash resulted in the death of Wyatt Moore, age 7.
Sheriff Thoroughman stated that detectives obtained statements from multiple witnesses and interviewed the driver of the ATV, as well as the mother of the child. The Ohio State Highway Patrol assisted by obtaining a search warrant to draw blood from the driver after his arrival at Grant Medical Center.
The investigation revealed that the driver of the ATV was under the influence of drugs at the time of the accident and that Wyatt’s mother was aware of this. The driver of the ATV is the boyfriend of the mother.
Sheriff Thoroughman stated that the case was presented to the Scioto County Grand Jury on Friday, April 14th, which resulted in indictment warrants being filed.
Sheriff Thoroughman stated that on Wednesday, April 19th, the victim’s mother was arrested without incident at her apartment, located at 1802 Kendall Ave., Apt H, Portsmouth, Ohio. Her boyfriend was later located at 704 Dry Run, West Portsmouth and arrested without incident.
Arrested was Breonna Phipps, age 30, of 1802 Kendall Ave., Apt H, Portsmouth, Ohio. Phipps has been charged with Involuntary Manslaughter, a felony of the 1st degree, Child Endangerment, a felony of the 5th degree, Tampering with Evidence, a felony of the 3rd degree, and Obstructing Justice, a felony of the 5th degree.
Also arrested was Jeremy Bryant, age 43, of 704 Dry Run Road, West Portsmouth. Bryant was charged with Involuntary Manslaughter, a felony of the 1st degree, two counts of Aggravated Vehicular Homicide, a felony of the 2nd degree, Endangering Children, a felony of the 4th degree, Endangering Children, a felony of the 5th degree, Inducing Panic, a felony of the 4th degree, Operating a Vehicle Under the Influence of Drugs and/or Alcohol, a misdemeanor of the 1st degree, Operating Off Street or Highway in Willful or Wanton Disregard of the Safety of Person or Property, a minor misdemeanor, Misconduct at an Emergency, a misdemeanor of the 1st degree, and Probation Violation. Both are currently being held without bond until they appear at Scioto County Common Pleas Court on a later date.
