BENTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. — Michigan State Police have found a 2018 Jeep Compass they say was involved in the fatal hit-and-run crash on Interstate 69 in Benton Township, Eaton County, that killed a 52-year-old DeWitt man last month.
Detectives from the Lansing Post located the vehicle on Oct. 8 on a property in Mason, along with additional evidence. Police said the vehicle and evidence were seized as the investigation continues, and no further details about the evidence have been released.
Troopers responded at around 9 a.m. on Sept. 25 to a pedestrian crash on southbound I-69 near M-100 in Benton Township. The man had pulled onto the shoulder to check on a trailer that was having mechanical problems when a southbound vehicle struck him and left without stopping.
He was taken to a hospital with serious injuries and died on Sept. 26.
A 39-year-old Charlotte man was arrested on unrelated charges the day after the crash, but the vehicle had not been found at that time. State police said locating the Jeep is a significant step but that much work remains.
Detectives are continuing to gather evidence before presenting the case to the prosecutor’s office. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Michigan State Police Lansing Post.