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Family of fatal hit-and-run incident victim hopeful after new information shared with public

Featured photo: Julie Lopez of Crime Stoppers speaks while gathered with Mayor Sheldon Neeley, Flint Police Det/Sgt. Tyrone Booth and friends and family of Lonnie Williams for an announcement of new details revealed by an investigation of the case involving Williams.

Written by Tanya Terry

On July 6, Julie Lopez of Crime Stoppers, Mayor Sheldon Neeley, Flint Police and Det/Sgt. Tyrone Booth gathered with the friends and family of Lonnie Williams for an announcement of new details revealed by an investigation of the case involving Williams.  Williams died at age 52 when his motorcycle was struck from behind in a hit-and-run on May 30.

The tragic incident occurred on W. Stewart Street, near Clio Road, in north Flint.

“He was riding his motorcycle, and he slowed down to let somebody out of their driveway,” explained Lopez. “(And) a car came from behind and hit him and left him for dead.”

The community’s help is being requested, and reporting through Crime Stoppers offers an opportunity for anonymity for anyone who isn’t comfortable reporting information to the police.

Crime Stoppers was offering $2,500 for any information that helps lead to the arrest of the individual who committed the hit-and-run. Neeley added an additional $500 from he and his family-making the total reward $3,000.

Neeley told those at the gathering Williams was one of the first people he had hired to work for the City of Flint. He described him as a “great employee” and “hard worker” and said he was a member of the city’s blight department.

Mayor Sheldon Neeley

“He was offering so much to this community,” Neeley said of Williams.

Neeley asked the person who committed to turn themselves in.

“Please don’t make us hunt you,” he said.

Booth said, based on evidence collected from the scene, police are looking for a 1999-2006 gold or silver GMC Yukon. Booth urged anyone who saw anything to report it, noting every bit of evidence helps.

“Today it’s this family who are experiencing this tragic accident,” Booth said.

Booth said, however, because of these types of situations, any family could be standing in the shoes of Williams’ family.

Flint Police Det/Sgt. Tyrone Booth

Family members plead in tears for anyone knows, sees or hears anything to come forward, saying they want the person who committed the crime off the street. Lonnie Williams was described by his family as a charismatic, fun, lively family man.

Pamela Donerson-Williams, the wife of Lonnie Williams

Pamela Donerson-Williams, the wife of Lonnie Williams, told the Courier that Williams’ stepdaughter informed her a motorcyclist had been hit by a car down the street from where they lived. Donerson-Williams immediately jumped in the truck and fled to the scene, not knowing whether that motorcyclist was her husband. Officers would not let her through the crime scene tape, but she when she stated she thought the victim may be her husband and she confirmed with police what type of motorcycle Williams was driving-she was told to go straight to Hurley.

Williams has one daughter and four grandchildren who are all hurting, along with his wife, several cousins and other family members. Donerson-Williams feels hopeful the person whose vehicle hit her husband will be located now that new information about the vehicle has been shared with the public.

“We’re just trying to get through this the best we can, and we just want some closure….He was the glue that held everything together for our family, friends. It’s a lot ….I just miss him.”

Pamela Donerson-Williams, the wife of Lonnie Williams

 

 

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