A late-night walk on 8 Mile Road turned into a nightmare in Farmington Hills after a pedestrian was hit not once but twice, and police say the second driver took off.
The victim, who has not been publicly identified, is in critical condition after last Friday night's crash, which has rattled neighbors and drivers along the busy corridor. Farmington Hills police are now turning to the public for help finding the driver who fled.
According to a release from the Farmington Hills Police Department and reporting by ClickOnDetroit, the crash happened around 9:25 p.m. last Friday on 8 Mile Road west of Middlebelt, near Sunnydale. Police say an SUV first struck the pedestrian as they were crossing the road. That driver immediately called 911 and stayed at the scene, officials said.
The victim was rushed to a local hospital, where they remain in critical condition, according to authorities.
Police: Surveillance Shows a Second Car
Things only got worse after the initial collision.
Investigators reviewed surveillance footage from the area and spotted another vehicle involved, according to the police statement cited by ClickOnDetroit. "The video showed a second vehicle, described as a white sedan with a black front bumper, traveling eastbound on 8 Mile Road," the release said.
Police say the footage appears to show that the white sedan struck the pedestrian again while the victim was lying in the roadway, then continued on without stopping.
Legal Consequences for Leaving the Scene
Walking or driving away from a crash like this is not just callous; it is a serious crime under Michigan law. State statute makes it a felony to leave the scene of an accident that causes serious injury, according to the Michigan Legislature.
The law allows for prison sentences of up to five years when a crash results in serious impairment, with even harsher penalties if the victim dies.
How to Help Investigators
Farmington Hills police are asking anyone who was in the area at the time, or who might have dashcam, home security, or business surveillance video, to come forward.
Tipsters can contact the Farmington Hills Police Department Command Desk at (248) 871-2610, per the Farmington Hills Police Department. The investigation is ongoing as detectives work to track down the driver of the white sedan with the black front bumper.
