Riutta arraigned on hit and run charge

HOUGHTON — A man accused of hitting a pedestrian and then leaving the scene was arraigned in Houghton County Circuit Court this morning.

31–year–old Benjamin Riutta is charged with felony hit and run. Police say the Atlantic Mine resident swerved over the center line and onto the shoulder of Obenhoff Road in Adams Township in March.
That’s where he allegedly hit a 36–year old woman from Atlantic Mine walking alongside the road and then took off.

In Houghton County Circuit Court, Riutta stood mute to the charge of failure to stop at the scene of an accident resulting in serious impairment or death. In doing so Judge Charles Goodman entered a plea of Not Guilty in his behalf.

If convicted, Riutta could be sentenced to 5 years in prison and/or a $5000 fine. His attorney, David Gemignani requested that his client need only post 10% of the $25,000 cash bond but Judge Goodman refused.

Riutta is scheduled to appear for a pre–trial in about 30 days.