Michigan Criminal Lawyers Blog
On Sunday March 3, a 10-year-old Detroit boy was taking the trash to the curb when he was struck by a red 2000 or 2001 Dodge Ram pickup; he died just a short time later as his mother watched him take his last breaths, according to a news report at ClickonDetroit.com. On Monday morning, Detroit police still had made no arrests in relation to the fatal hit-and-run incident that took the boy’s life.
According to Detroit police, Christopher Sandoval was taking the trash bin to the curb at his residence on Bringard Drive at approximately 1:20 p.m. on Sunday, after his mother had asked him to take care of the chore. The vehicle in question apparently lost control before striking the boy; at this point, both the trash bin and the victim were wedged under the truck, which had a plow on the front and snow blower in back according to witnesses. The driver got out of the truck and removed the trash bin, but made no effort to help the injured boy, according to news reports.
Lisa Sandoval, the boy’s mother, said that she heard him take his last breaths as she ran to his side. She said that she had long enough to apologize to him because she had asked him to carry out the trash, and told him that she loved him and was sorry. She is pleading for the driver who struck her son to come forward, saying that if it was his child, he would want the responsible person to come forward.
The driver of the truck was described by witnesses as a white man with a mustache, possibly in his 30s or 40s. Police are asking anyone who has any information to call the Homicide Unit at 313-596-2200.
This is a heartbreaking and very unfortunate story. Michigan involuntary manslaughter attorneys understand that sometimes individuals in these types of situations experience such shock and panic that they don’t know what to do, and simply drive away. However, the criminal penalties for those convicted of involuntary manslaughter are severe, and include fines of up to $7,500 along with a possible prison term of 15 years.
If you have been arrested for hit-and-run or any serious offense that ended in the loss of life, it is imperative that you speak with a skilled and compassionate Michigan criminal defense lawyer right away. Your freedom and future hang in the balance.