Woman hit by 'friend', left for dead

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - Witnesses say a disagreement between a man and woman preceded the incident where the same man hit the woman with a mini van, and took off.

The woman, identified by police as 22-year-old Michelle Caverley of Grand Rapids, died from her injuries.

Caverley's family identified the suspect as Calvin Liptrot, Jr., 29. Jail and Michigan State Police records show Liptrot is being held in the Kent County Jail and is facing several charges including operating while intoxicated causing death, failure to stop at the scene of an accident, and a second offense for domestic violence.

Investigators have released few details about what happened, but witnesses tell 24 Hour News 8 that Caverley was trying to get away from Liptrot when the incident happened just after 4 a.m. near Fremont Avenue and Third Street on the northwest side of Grand Rapids.

Police say the suspect left the scene and was later found and arrested.

 "It's so sad, so sad," said Mary Garcia, who lives near the scene where Caverley died. " I couldn't think of anything. All I can think of is I couldn't leave her there just like that."

Garcia said she approached the victim and tried to help her. She says she could already tell that she would not survive.

Caverley's family members said that she was at a party the night of the incident and that witnesses told them that Liptrot, who was Caverley's friend, was trying to get her affection but couldn't.

Liptrot has a criminal past that includes domestic violence and drug convictions.

It is not clear if the incident was an accident or not. Police say alcohol was a factor.

Police Saturday morning said they were still looking to hear from witnesses who they hadn't spoken with. Anyone with information is asked to call  call Grand Rapids police at 616.456.3604 or Silent Observer at 616.774.2345.