Kyle Cooper was just 30 years old when his life ended Thursday night in the Hilltop section of west Columbus. Police got the call about an injury crash near Sullivant Avenue and Binns Boulevard a little before 9:30 p.m. They found him in the roadway after a vehicle struck him. Medics took him to the hospital. He did not make it.
What led up to that moment is what has people talking. Investigators say Cooper had been assaulted and left lying in the lanes of Sullivant Avenue. An affidavit claims 32-year-old Michon Minyard kicked and stomped him while he was down there. Minyard is now charged with murder and felonious assault.
The driver who hit Cooper stayed at the scene. Police say that driver had nothing to do with the earlier fight and faces no charges from the crash itself. Detectives are still sorting out the full order of events.
Cooper’s family and friends now face the hard work of dealing with a sudden loss. At 30, he still had years ahead of him. The public details stay focused on the investigation, but the people who knew him are left with empty spots where he used to be.
Minyard was set for arraignment on Saturday morning. Police keep asking anyone who saw what happened to call in. The Columbus Police Homicide Unit can be reached at 614-645-4730. Central Ohio Crime Stoppers is at 614-461-8477.
The Hilltop neighborhood sees its share of trouble along that stretch of Sullivant. This case stands out because of the alleged assault that put a man in the path of traffic. Investigators want a clearer picture of the minutes before the car arrived.
Cooper’s death leaves questions that may take time to answer. For now, the charges against Minyard move forward through the courts while the community waits for more facts.
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