A hit-and-run incident involving a cyclist in Michigan resulted in the arrest of the driver, who attempted to flee the scene but was apprehended with the assistance of a police dog. The incident occurred on Kurick Road near Dzuibanek Road in Springdale Township around 3:45 PM on Friday, May 3, according to Michigan State Police from the Cadillac Post in Manistee County.
The victim, a 73-year-old woman from Thompsonville, was hospitalized at Munson Medical Center in Frankfort with non-life-threatening injuries, as reported by UpNorthLive.com.
Initially, a 41-year-old woman claimed to be the driver, but later admitted to being a passenger in the vehicle. The actual driver, a 35-year-old woman with an outstanding arrest warrant, fled the scene on foot.
A search of the vehicle uncovered methamphetamines and a stun gun. Subsequently, a police dog handler, along with Police Dog Ox, was summoned to the scene. Together, they tracked the fleeing driver through five miles of swamp and dense woodland.
Upon emerging from the woods, the suspect was met by law enforcement officers and promptly arrested. She was then taken to Manistee County Jail, where she awaited arraignment.
The successful apprehension coincided with the commencement of National Cyclist Safety Month in the United States. Michigan State Police highlighted that in 2022 alone, 36 cyclists lost their lives and 1,030 were injured on the state’s roads.
Katie Bower, Director of the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP), expressed concern over the recent surge in cyclist fatalities, labeling it “alarming.” She emphasized the importance of traffic safety as a collective responsibility, stating, “During National Bicycle Safety Month, the OHSP and our traffic safety partners will be working to educate residents about the importance of bicycle safety and the traffic laws designed to protect bicyclists.”
Bower underscored the significance of motorists and cyclists adhering to road regulations and being vigilant of one another to prevent accidents.
