Police have arrested the suspect involved in a deadly hit-and-run that killed a teen on Monday evening.
Miguel A. Ibarra Cerda, who was wanted for questioning, was arrested Tuesday afternoon in the Lansing area, police say.
The arrest was made by officers from the Wixom Police Department, with help from federal and state law enforcement partners.
The crash happened on Potter Road between North Wixom Road and Flamingo Road on Monday, June 11. The victim, identified as 14-year-old Justin Lee, was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Police say they located the vehicle involved in the crash at a mobile home park near Glengary and Wixom in Commerce Township. That's a couple miles away from the accident scene.
Lee's family says he was a football player at Walled Lake Western.
His stepfather, Dave Kataja, said he planned on rejoining the football team this season.
"That's all he talked about was wanting to get back into playing football again, because he's been off," Kataja said.
Grief counselors will be available at Walled Lake Western High School and Banks High School for students needing help after Lee's tragic death.
"I hope he has a guilty conscience and turns himself in," Kataja added about the driver.
Walled Lake Schools provided this letter to parents regarding Lee's death:
Dear WLCSD Parents:
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Walled Lake Western High School ninth-grade student, Justin Lee, who died last night after he was struck by a van while riding his bicycle. This morning at WL Western High School and Sarah Banks Middle School, our counselors, social workers, psychologists, and staff, cared for struggling and grieving students and staff who knew and loved Justin. Although, today was the first day of final exams at WL Western, students unable to take exams, are being given accommodations.
Mr. Bell, WL Western principal, described Justin “as a good student who had a great sense of humor, with a lot of friends. Justin was on the freshman football and wrestling teams. He was a fine young man. We are deeply saddened at the loss of this precious life.”
Local law enforcement officials are investigating this tragedy as it has been reported as a hit and run car accident.
Staff at both WL Western and Banks, met early this morning with administrators and grief counselors.
Additional counseling and support staff will be available for students at Walled Lake Western High School and Banks Middle School Tuesday and for the remainder of this week. Students who need to speak with someone for support will have staff available to them.
A GoFundMe page [track.spe.schoolmessenger.com] has been set up to assist the Lee family. We will communicate funeral arrangements when they are available.
Sincerely,
Judy Evola, Director, Community Relations & Marketing - Walled Lake Consolidated School District
A GoFundMe page has been set up here.
A vigil will also be held Wednesday night from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. on the football field at Walled Lake Western High School. Those attening are asking to wear western blue in honor of Justin.
