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MADISON HEIGHTS — A man waiting for a bus to arrive was killed when a driver left the roadway and struck him. The suspect then fled the scene, only for police to track him down.
Jalal Salim Safah, age 30, of Detroit, was arraigned in Madison Heights 43rd District Court on Feb. 1, charged with one count of leaving the scene of an at-fault accident resulting in death, which is a felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison. Safah was also given a $10,000 bond.
According to records with the Madison Heights 43rd District Court, Robert Mouradian is the attorney representing Safah. Mouradian did not respond to a request for comment by press time.
The incident occurred shortly after 4:50 p.m. Jan. 29. Officers were dispatched to southbound Dequindre Road north of 11 Mile Road on report of a hit-and-run accident.
“The road was moderately busy at the time,” said Madison Heights Police Lt. David Koehler in an email. “First responders were able to respond within three minutes.”
When first responders arrived, they found the victim unresponsive on the ground. He was identified as Sammie Baker, 67, of Detroit. He was transported to a nearby hospital where he then died from his injuries.
Police came to learn that Baker had been waiting at a bus stop for his ride to arrive when the vehicle hit him. The car was identified as a 2003 Toyota Camry that sustained front-end damage after leaving the roadway and striking Baker. The driver fled the scene, driving south on Dequindre Road.
“Detectives conducted a thorough investigation that included many different law enforcement resources, including surveillance videos,” Koehler said. “There were two witnesses to the incident, both of whom are cooperating with the detectives.”
Investigators were then able to identify Safah and locate him on the west side of Detroit, where he was arrested. They also recovered the vehicle that had been involved in the incident.
When asked if the driver had been driving while distracted or under the influence, Koehler said it’s currently unclear.
“There is no indication of what caused the vehicle to leave the roadway at this time,” he said.
What is clear, however, is the fact that the suspect did not stay at the scene of the accident, which is required by state law. Koehler said that if a driver is involved in an accident, they must stop and identify the other individuals involved, which includes providing their license, registration and insurance information if they were driving.
State law also requires that a report must be filed if any injuries are incurred, or if the damage exceeds $1,000 in value. Drivers should also make sure they pull off the roadway when possible before engaging in any conversation. They can also contact 911 or the local police department’s non-emergency number.
Koehler said the Madison Heights Police Department extends its condolences to the family of the victim. He also reminded the public to be vigilant when on the road.
“When operating a motor vehicle or bicycle on the roadway, the operator should be paying attention to the roadway. They should minimize distractions by staying off their phones, and maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of them, utilizing turn signals and obeying the speed limit,” Koehler said. “Also, it’s just as important for pedestrians to pay attention to the traffic around them.”
