OTTUMWA – An Ottumwa man faces multiple charges after allegedly striking a student in the Ottumwa Community School District with his vehicle on Thursday and leaving the scene.

The Ottumwa Police Department reported that the accident occurred at around 4:07 PM in the 1500 block of Albia Road on Thursday. Officers were dispatched to that area and were informed by witnesses that the driver of the vehicle had struck the child and left the scene, and they were able to provide an accurate description of the vehicle.

Ottumwa Police officers, with the assistance of the Wapello County Sheriff’s Office, conducted an investigation and were able to locate the suspect, who was identified as 26-year-old Tristan Verrips of rural Ottumwa, as well as his vehicle, at his residence on Highway 34. Verrips was placed under arrest at around 5:00 PM.

Verrips was charged with Leaving the Scene of an Accident Resulting in Serious Injury (Serious Misdemeanor) and Driving Under Suspension (Simple Misdemeanor).

The Ottumwa Community School District shared on social media that the student is expected to make a full recovery, and that they are working closely with the student and their family to provide support.