An Ohio youth pastor who was previously found responsible for the death of a teenager he let ride on the side of his van will only face a small fine.
Case Background
Rushon Patterson II, 27, was involved in a September 6, 2025 incident in Canton Township, Ohio, in which 14-year-old Malachi Nichols-Williams rode on the side of a church van driven by Patterson. When the van drove over a pothole, Malachi was thrown to the street, suffered a severe brain injury and skull fracture, and later died after being on life support for several days.
Legal Proceedings
Patterson was initially charged with reckless homicide, involuntary manslaughter, and riding on the side of a vehicle. He was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and the misdemeanor traffic violation, but acquitted of homicide.
Conviction Dismissed on Technicality
Due to a legal technicality, the involuntary manslaughter conviction was dismissed. State law does not allow involuntary manslaughter to be tied to a minor misdemeanor traffic violation. Judge Natalie R. Haupt noted there was evidence for a misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter charge, but the case could not be modified after conviction.
Final Outcome
Patterson now stands convicted only of allowing Malachi to ride on the side of a moving vehicle and was ordered to pay a $150 fine. Prosecutors expressed frustration at the dismissal, citing the severity of the teen’s death.
