An 18-year-old who allegedly fled a one-car crash that killed the vehicle’s only passenger was charged Monday with felony hit and run resulting in death, according to the Clark County District Attorney’s office.

Rudy Gingerich of Greenwood was driving north on Sterling Avenue just north of Century Road in the town of Mead on Aug. 23, when he lost control of the car, on the gravel road, entered a ditch and hit a culvert, according to a sheriff’s report.

Tobias Hershberger, 21, of Greenwood, was ejected from the car and died on the scene from traumatic neck injuries, according to a report from the Ramsey County Medical Examiners Office, St. Paul, Minn.

Gingerich, who is Amish, has minimal driving experience and no license, according to the criminal complaint, is scheduled to make an initial appearance Nov. 19 in Clark County Circuit Court.

“Usually if there is another person involved who gets hurt or dies you have a hit and run (charge),” said Clark County Assistant District Attorney Richard Lewis.

According to the criminal complaint, Gingerich left the crash scene, but returned later. He was met by officers and taken by ambulance to Saint Joseph’s Hospital where he was treated for a head injury.

Alcohol isn’t believed to be a factor in the crash, according to Jim Backus, chief deputy of the Clark County Sheriff’s Department. A 12-pack of unopened beer was found in the car that they borrowed from Kenneth Buker, 39, of Willard.

Buker told investigators he had only given Hershberger permission to drive the vehicle because he had driving experience.

The unregistered 1996 Pontiac Sunfire was traveling no more than 65 miles per hour, according to investigator reports. It would not have been capable of excessive speeds on the quarter mile of road before it crashed, the report says. Driver inexperience most likely caused the crash, it says.

If convicted, Gingerich faces a maximum of 25 years in prison, a $100,000 fine, or both.