EUREKA TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) — Investigators are searching for the hit-and-run driver who killed a teenager and injured two others near Greenville Tuesday night.
Michigan State Police are investigating the deadly hit-and-run crash that happened around 9:30 p.m. Tuesday on Wise Road near West County Line Road in Eureka Township, northwest of Greenville. A 14-year-old boy was pronounced dead at the scene. The two other boys were taken to the hospital with injuries that are not considered life-threatening.
Mike MacDonald lives in the quiet neighborhood where the crash happened and saw the three boys out walking just before the crash.
“I opened up the door (and) just motioned to them (as if to say), ‘A little late, boys.’ And they just signaled OK,” MacDonald said.
He knows the boys. One lives down the street.
“They hung around together. They were good kids. Never into trouble,” MacDonald said.
He went back inside and began to settle in for the night.
“All of the sudden, I heard hollering and then it turned into screams,” MacDonald said. “I knew something wasn’t right. And when I got up to go to the door, I heard the siren.”
He ran to the corner and found the devastating scene.
Tire tracks show the car veered off the roadway, hit the boys, then tore through a yard and back out on the roadway.
“We have yet to identify the driver of that vehicle,” MSP Lt. Michelle Robinson said.
State police believe the vehicle, believed to be a dark blue or purple 1999 to 2005 VW Jetta, may have substantial front-end and windshield damage.
“Someone may be in fear of what happened. They may have panicked. Whatever the reasoning is, we just reiterate: Do the right thing. Come forward. Let us know what happened,” Robinson said.
Anyone who witnessed the crash or with information is asked to call the MSP Lakeview Post at 989.352.8444 or Montcalm County Central Dispatch at 989.831.5253.
“Wake up,” MacDonald said. “If your conscience kicks in, you know you did something wrong, turn yourself in. Because this is a serious matter but it’s just going to get worse for you unless you turn yourself in.”
At the time of the crash, the road was under construction but open to traffic.
The name of the 14-year-old was not released Wednesday. MSP originally said the victim was 13 years old but later confirmed he turned 14 last week.
In a letter to families Wednesday, Greenville Public Schools Superintendent Wayne Roedel acknowledged the teen killed as a Greenville Middle School student.
“When one of our students passes away, many in the district feel the family’s grief, pray for comfort and healing and reach out to others asking how they can help and support. Our community is blessed to have the attitude of pulling together to lift and support those in need,” Roedel wrote.
He said support staff would be available to help students as they grieve.
“In the short term, pray for comfort for the immediate and extended family as well as community members impacted by this tragic event,” Roedel wrote. “I’m certain that all of us will find ways to honor the family and make the Greenville Community proud of how we rally together in a time of need.”
