MERRILL TOWNSHIP, Mich. — Newaygo County sheriff's deputies are searching for the driver in a hit-and-run accident early Wednesday morning that killed a pedestrian along rural 11 Mile Road near Woodland Park.
Investigators say the victim, 61-year-old Steven Jones, was walking along 11 Mile Road near 16th Ave. when it appears he was hit by a passing car. His body was spotted by a passing driver around 7:30 a.m. Wednesday.
Police do not have a suspect vehicle description but believe it has extensive front-end damage and possibly damage to the windshield.
In July, Jones was a suspect in a deadly accident involving a bicyclist in Ada Township. 52-year-old Jeff Dykehouse, an avid biker and well-known photographer in the community, was killed in the crash and Jones was accused of driving while under the influence.
At the time of his death, Jones had not yet been charged in the incident.
Jones' daughter Quran Griffin wouldn't comment when asked about the incident, only calling the situation ironic.
“It is in the hands of the law and what will come out from that will come out from that," Griffin said.
"What I do want to say is that unfortunately my father was hit today and this person took off, so there’s someone driving around right now that I don’t know what they’re feeling but we’re on this end of it and this hurts.”
Griffin says she and her family are well-known in the small community, only serving to emphasize the loss being felt.
“When I heard about it it touched me because another soul gone and it touched me pretty good, pretty good," said Samuel Dinkins, who lives nearby.
Despite the loss, Griffin says the family is remaining strong, knowing she was at peace with her father before he died.
“You see us standing here, we’re strong, we’re tall, and we are standing in the glory," she said. "My dad had this phrase ‘the conquering son’ and look we haven’t had sun all summer long and look what we got today, so we are standing in his presence.”
The area where Jones' body was found has no sidewalk or shoulder area. Police say the time of the day and the fact it might've been dark outside could have been a factor in the accident.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Newaygo County Sheriff's Office at 231-689-7024.
