After nearly a month of chasing leads, reviewing surveillance clips, and combing through broken car parts, investigators say they have made an arrest in a fatal hit-and-run that left a 24-year-old Benton Harbor man dead along M-152 near Pleasant Street in Silver Creek Township.
The crash, which happened on May 24 in the Dowagiac area, set off a wide-ranging investigation that pulled in help from state and federal partners and depended heavily on cellphone data and videos turned in by residents. While a suspect is now in custody, authorities say the case is not closed, and they are still running down leads as the legal process moves forward.
Arrest Announced After Monthlong Probe
The Cass County Sheriff’s Office said last Friday that a suspect had been arrested in connection with the case, according to MLive. Officials noted that the investigation, which began May 24, remains active while prosecutors determine the next steps.
Victim And Crash Details
Investigators identified the victim as 24-year-old Timothy Johnson of Benton Harbor. He was walking along M-152 near Pleasant Street when he was struck and later pronounced dead at the scene, per WNDU. According to WNDU, officials previously urged anyone with video, photos, or other information to call the Cass County tip line at 1-800-462-9328 or submit tips through the county website.
How Detectives Followed The Trail
Sheriff Clint Roach told reporters that detectives recovered several car parts at the scene and are focused on a 2010–2012 black Ford Taurus as the vehicle of interest. He said investigators issued subpoenas to preserve cellphone data and worked with federal partners, and he thanked residents of Cass, Van Buren, and Berrien counties for sending in video that helped move the investigation forward, as reported by WSJM.
Penalties Under Michigan Law
Under Michigan’s vehicle code, leaving the scene of a crash that causes death is a felony, with enhanced penalties that can include up to 15 years in prison and substantial fines, according to the state statutes. What prosecutors ultimately file in this case will depend on the evidence developed and decisions made at arraignment, and investigators say their work is ongoing. Michigan Legislature
Authorities are still asking anyone with photos, video, or other tips tied to the May 24 crash to contact the sheriff’s office or the tip line so detectives can follow up. This story will be updated when arraignment details and formal charges are made public.
