What a remarkable story out of Naperville, Ill. A man who struck and killed (and fled like the coward that he is) a 20-year-old woman in 2008 just showed up on her family’s front steps this weekend and confessed to the crime. It’s not as feel good as one might think, what with David McCarthy still not planning to come clean with authorities, but that was taken care of for him when Melissa Lech’s family got his license plate number to police.
It’s a compelling story. Here’s an excerpt from the Chicago Tribune:
McCarthy told authorities he decided to admit to the hit-and-run to unburden himself. “I needed to say what I needed to say,” McCarthy said, according to prosecutor Mary Fillipitch. “I have a clear conscience.”
McCarthy arrived at Michelle Lech’s home around 9 a.m. Sunday. Lech said she was wary when the stranger rang the doorbell of her Will County and asked to speak with her.
McCarthy wouldn’t say why he was there until Lech invited him in. Sitting down, he calmly confessed to being behind the wheel of the car that struck and killed Lech’s in Joliet in the summer of 2008. “He said he struck and ran over her,” Lech said.
While McCarthy said he felt guilty, Lech said he never apologized. “He didn’t even tell me he was sorry.” After about 10 minutes, McCarthy said “I think I should go” and left.
Lech followed him to the door and, after he was gone, she called a detective who had been working for years on the case. The detective was able to locate McCarthy in Naperville, based on the license plate the Lechs had taken down, according to Joliet Police Cmdr. Brian Benton.
Police picked up McCarthy at this home, Benton said. McCarthy told police his conscience was clear now that he had talked to the family, authorities said.
Before he could be questioned further, McCarthy said he wanted to talk to a lawyer and was taken into custody. He was charged with causing personal injury and leaving the scene of an accident causing a death.
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