Former Youth Pastor Convicted After 14-Year-Old Dies In Fall From Moving Church Van

Roommates, what started as what families believed was a trusted community role has now ended in a courtroom verdict that has left a Ohio community with more questions than comfort, especially as the name Rushon Patterson II continues to sit at the center of a heartbreaking case involving a teenager’s final ride.

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Former Pastor Convicted In Fatal Church Van Incident Involving Teen

An Ohio jury has convicted Rushon Patterson II, 27, a former volunteer pastor, in connection with the death of 14-year-old Malachi Nichols-Williams, who died after falling from a moving church van in September 2025. Patterson was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter and allowing a child to ride outside a vehicle, but acquitted of reckless homicide. Prosecutors said Patterson was driving a church van for Alive Now Kidz Church in Canton Township when he allowed Malachi and other teens to hold onto the outside of the vehicle while he…..

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