A Cottage Grove man is facing a felony charge after authorities say he struck a bicyclist in Newport last weekend, left the victim gravely injured in the roadway and drove off.
According to a criminal complaint filed in Washington County, 70-year-old Mark Thomas Tinucci Sr. was driving a white Chevrolet Suburban with a “Tinucci’s” restaurant decal on the side.
Around 3:44 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16, authorities allege Tinucci hit a man who was crossing Maxwell Avenue at the I-494 overpass. Witnesses told deputies the victim was in a crosswalk and another driver had already slowed to let him through when Tinucci, traveling in the left lane at what was described as a significant speed, struck him. The victim suffered life-threatening injuries including a brain bleed, eight broken ribs, fractures to his clavicle and scapula, and a torn carotid artery. According to the criminal complaint, the victim has shown no signs of “cognitive ability” since the crash…