2 sought after hit-and-run kills 13yo in Walled Lake
Detroit, MI – Oakland County Sheriff’s Office is seeking help to locate two people involved in a deadly hit-and-run in Walled Lake that left a 13-year-old girl dead and several others wounded. The terrible accident occurred last Wednesday, near Maple and Decker, during a Walled Lake police pursuit. Trying to escape the police, the driver of a 2023 Jeep Gladiator ran a red light and then collided with two cars. One of the vehicles struck was a 2010 Honda Fit driven by a 51-year-old Commerce Township woman, traveling with her two daughters. A 13-year-old girl was taken to hospital where she was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. Her 10-year-old sister was critically wounded, while the mother was hospitalized in serious condition. The passengers in the other car involved escaped with only minor injuries.
Two people in the Jeep Gladiator fled the scene on foot.
“Once again, we’ve seen an individual involved in a horrific crash causing death, flee the scene,” Sheriff Michael Bouchard said. “It’s hard to imagine someone can ignore the basic humanity of helping others. I look forward to this person being held fully accountable for their actions because I’m confident this driver will be found.”
How common are hit-and-run accidents in Michigan?
According to statistics, hit-and-runs account for over 10% of all motor vehicle accidents in Michigan. In places like Detroit, Flint, or Muskegon, the percentages are even higher. In 2018, for instance, there were 34,628 such crashes in Michigan.
The main reasons why a driver would decide to flee the scene of an accident are panic, the fear of paying damages, or facing legal consequences. Intoxicated drivers know they may go to jail if the accident results in injury or death. At the same time, people engaged in some type of criminal activity may want to avoid the police so they prefer to flee.
Given the high number of hit-and-run accidents in the state and the limited resources the police have, if you were involved in such a crash the best thing to do is to hire a seasoned Michigan car accident lawyer. They can help you find the fleeing driver and identify ways to recover your economic and non-economic damages.
What to do if you are involved in a hit-and-run accident?
First of all, stay put. Do not try to chase the fleeing driver as this is dangerous and often useless. Here is what you should do instead:
Check for injuries: Check yourself and others involved in the accident for injuries. Call for emergency medical help if necessary.
Call the police: Call the police immediately to report the accident. Provide them with as much information as possible, including the location of the accident, the description of the other vehicle involved, and the license plate number if possible.
Gather information: If possible, gather information from witnesses who saw the accident. Write down their names, phone numbers, and addresses. Also, take pictures of the damage to your vehicle and any other property that was damaged in the accident.
Notify your insurance company: Contact your insurance company as soon as possible to report the accident. Provide them with any information you have gathered.
Consult an attorney: Consider consulting an attorney who specializes in car accidents, especially if you or someone else was injured in the accident.
Seek medical attention: Even if you think you were not seriously injured, you never know. See your personal physician or go to the ER for an expert opinion. Some types of injuries do not show any symptoms right away. For instance, you may have internal bleeding, which can be deadly if left untreated. At the same time, keep in mind that when you do find the driver that hit you you will need medical records to prove that you were injured and are therefore entitled to seek damages.
Have you been injured in a hit-and-run accident in Michigan?
If you or a loved one were injured in a hit-and-run accident, the experienced attorneys at the Neumann Law Group can help you locate the guilty driver and recover the damages you deserve. Our personal injury attorneys have many years of experience working on such cases. Through our dedicated representation, we have secured significant compensation for our injured clients and their families. To learn more and schedule a free initial consultation, call our office at 800-525-6386.
