UPDATED: ELPD Seeks Information Regarding Incident on West Road
UPDATE [Jan, 21, 2022 at 10:15 a.m.]: On Jan. 21, the East Lansing Police Department released more information on the incident involving a motor vehicle that occurred on West Road during the early morning hours of Tuesday, Jan. 18.
According the the press release, “A driver of a motor vehicle traveling southbound on West Road had called 911 to report hitting an individual who had been laying in the roadway. The individual has been identified as Michael Wayne Son Jr., 38 years of age, from East Lansing. He was pronounced dead at the scene and next of kin have been notified. ELPD is still investigating the cause of death in this case.
“While on scene, it was determined that Son lived nearby, and it was reported that a vehicle in his driveway was missing. The gray Dodge RAM 1500 four-door pickup truck was recovered later in the 6000 block of Abbot Road and is being processed for evidence.”
In the press release, ELPD also stated that the incident is still under investigation and included a photo of a person who it believes may have more information.
Original text from Jan. 20, 2022 at 4:30 p.m.:
The East Lansing Police Department released information about an incident involving a motor vehicle that occurred on West Road early Tuesday morning.
ELPD released the following information on Tuesday:
“At approximately 5:15 a.m. today, officers with the East Lansing Police Department (ELPD) responded to a Check Subject/Subject in the Roadway call on West Road near Abbey Road.
“Upon initial investigation, officers determined that a motor vehicle traveling southbound on West Road hit an individual in the roadway. Upon further investigation, officers on the scene determined that the individual who had been struck’s vehicle, a gray Dodge RAM 1500 four-door pickup truck, was allegedly taken by an unknown subject.”
ELPD’s newly-named Public Information Officer, Lieutenant Chad Pride, declined to respond to additional questions sent by ELi’s Andrew Graham to gather more information about the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Pride told Graham that, “This is a current and ongoing investigation and the information provided yesterday is only being released at this time.”
In the press release, ELPD asked that “Members of the public who have information about this incident or observed the Dodge RAM (see photo) between 4:45 a.m. and 5:15 a.m. today are asked to contact ELPD Sgt. Adam Park at (517) 319-6834 or apark@elpolice.com.”
Today, WILX reported that ELPD had “identified the man whose body was found in the street on West Road on Tuesday morning.” ELi is working to independently verify that information.