Teenage moped driver dies in hit-run

MUSKEGON, Mich. (WOOD) - A 19-year-old moped driver died Saturday night after being hit by what police believe was a full-size van in Muskegon.

The crash happened around 9:20 p.m. at Catherine Avenue and Williams Street. Authorities found the teen lying next to the moped. He was rushed to a hospital, but later died from his injuries. He was not wearing a helmet, police said.

Authorities on Monday identified the teen as Demari Churchwell of Muskegon.

Witnesses who saw the crash provided information that led police to identify Dwayne Watkins, 24, of Muskegon as a person of interest. The license plate number matched the witness identification of the van.

Watkins turned himself in to Muskegon police Sunday afternoon in connection with the fatal hit-and-run crash. Watkins has been lodged in the Muskegon County Jail on a charge of leaving the scene of a traffic crash causing death or serious injury.

If you have any information about this incident, you are asked to call 911 or Silent Observer at 231.722.7463.