It has been more than a year since 46-year-old Cassandra Cheathem was struck and killed while walking to her job in Romulus, and her family says they still have no clear timeline for possible charges. Cheathem was killed on April 10, 2025, while crossing a busy stretch of Wayne Road on her way to work in a McDonald’s uniform. Relatives say the long wait has deepened their grief and left them demanding accountability from investigators and prosecutors.
Investigation sent to prosecutors
Romulus police say the probe was “extensive and complex” and that the department completed its investigation and submitted it to the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office on April 7, according to WXYZ. The department’s statement notes that the Western Wayne Crash Response Team, the Michigan State Police, Romulus Special Services and Romulus detectives all worked the case as investigators tried to identify the driver and determine the vehicle’s speed at impact.
Family demands answers
Relatives say communication from authorities has been slow and painful. “Why is this taking a whole year. There's no excuse. There's none,” Jason Halimon told reporters, and daughter Ranielle Halimon said she is clinging to memories of her mother as the family waits for justice, per WXYZ. The family says the lack of clear updates has left them feeling shut out of a process that will determine accountability for Cheathem’s death.
What happened that morning
Initial reporting says Cheathem was struck at about 5 a.m. on April 10, 2025, while crossing Wayne Road near Michelle Drive as she headed to work. Police told reporters the vehicle was driven by a 26-year-old woman from Belleville who stopped at the scene and cooperated with investigators, as reported by ClickOnDetroit.
Local response
Coworkers and community members held a memorial and a fundraising shift to help Cheathem’s family after the crash. The franchise owner told FOX 2 Detroit that more than $5,000 was raised and described Cheathem as a bright, faithful worker who was beloved by staff and customers.
Broader context
Pedestrian safety remains a statewide concern: Michigan Traffic Crash Facts counted 156 pedestrian fatalities in 2024, underscoring risks on busy suburban corridors and arterials, according to the state crash report. Michigan Traffic Crash Facts shows pedestrian deaths are a significant share of roadway fatalities and remain a focus for local safety advocates.
What’s next
No criminal charges have been announced. Romulus police say the prosecutor's office has the case and it is under review by the homicide unit. The Cheathem family says it will watch the prosecutor's next moves closely and is pressing authorities to provide a timetable for charging or public updates as they continue to seek answers.
