Woman Killed While Riding Bike Home From Work
NEW HAVEN (WWJ) - Police say a 25-year-old Lenox Township woman was riding her bike home from work when she was killed by a hit-and-run driver, who was later arrested.
The incident happened around 11:10 p.m. Thursday on Gratiot Avenue and 27 Mile Road in New Haven.
According to Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham, Melanie James had just left her job at the Subway sandwich shop on Gratiot Avenue when she was struck by a Chevrolet Geo Tracker.
After the collision, Wickersham said the driver stopped and got out of his vehicle, saw what had happened and then took off running on foot.
Two young ladies coming home from the New Haven High School prom saw the woman lying in the road and called police.
Officers responded to the scene and started searching for the suspect, who was eventually found holed up in a motor home about a mile away, hiding under a blanket.
"It appears that he was going through some wooded areas, swampy area in the neighborhoods with our deputies and K-9 on his trail. He actually ended up in an unlocked trailer and at that point, he disrobed and when our deputies found him, he was down to his underwear," Wickersham told WWJ's Mike Campbell. "He appeared to be intoxicated, and he was taken into custody."
The suspect is described as a 30-year-old Richmond Township man. His name was not released due to pending charges.
James was declared dead at the scene.
The incident remains under investigation and police are looking to speak with anyone who may have witnessed the accident. Anyone with information is urged to contact police at 586-469-5151.
UPDATE 5/24: Man Charged In Hit-And-Run Death Of Bicyclist On Way Home From Work