Man Charged With Leaving Scene Of Fatal Crash With Bicyclist In Hazel Park
HAZEL PARK (WWJ) - A 50-year-old Madison Heights man has been charged in connection with a deadly hit-and-run accident in Hazel Park.
Police say Joseph Dunning confessed to hitting 54-year-old Cordie Howlette — who was riding his bike at around 11 p.m. on Oct. 3, near John R and Woodward Heights Blvd., between 9 Mile and 10 Mile roads.
Police said Howlette was crossing John R just north of the crosswalk when he was struck. He was rushed to Beaumont Hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
Dunning fled the scene, according to police, but later turned himself in after hearing that investigators, with the help of some tipsters, had identified him as a person of interest in the case.
Dunning has been charged with leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death.
Hazel Park Police Chief Martin Barner stressed that Dunning is not being charged with killing Howlette.
"Mr. Howlette, the victim, was actually responsible for the accident," Barner told WWJ's Charlie Langton. "He crossed against a red light and was struck by Mr. Dunning that had the green light; so the crime here is leaving the scene afterwords."
Dunning, who was scheduled to be arraigned Friday, could spend up to five years in jail if convicted.
