Driver who hit golf cart, hospitalizing teen, caught thanks to tips

Mecosta County deputies are thanking those who pointed them in the direction of the driver of a newer white Ford Expedition with black rims, tinted windows and a white decal on the upper left of the rear window.

“Well, I think you get out of what you put into things, and this was something that we took very seriously," said Sheriff Brian Miller.

The SUV hit a golf cart filled with four passengers Tuesday night — sending a teen in the hospital — then drove away.

Mecosta County Sheriff’s deputies say it happened a little before 7:30 p.m. heading south on 100th Avenue in Morton Township. A 71-year-old man from Stanwood was driving the golf cart with three other passengers on board when the full-sized, three-row SUV sideswiped them near Pierce Road.

Miller said all four passengers were thrown from the cart. Aero Med took a 17-year-old from Colorado to a hospital in Grand Rapids, while the others on the cart were treated for minor injuries.

Initially after the crash, deputies sent out a news release with photos of the vehicle in question, asking for help from the public.

Mecosta County Sheriff's Office

On Wednesday, FOX 17 was in the area and discovered deputies questioning the driver of an SUV that fit the description just north of the scene of the crash.

Sheriff Miller was unwilling to confirm if the vehicle and driver FOX 17 saw were the ones involved in the hit-and-run crash, but Miller did say his team has identified the suspect involved, and the suspect placed himself in the area.

“A lot of times, when you have accidents, they happen very closely to where that person lives," Miller said.

Mecosta County Sheriff's Office/FOX 17

Miller said this discovery would not have been possible without the public's help, admitting they don't always get "the resolution we want" during a hit-and-run investigation.

However, the suspect is still not in custody.

“No, he's not. The investigation continues. After that, we'll proceed charges through the prosecutor's office," Miller said.

As far as the charges they could pursue, Miller said leaving the scene of an accident causing injury is on the table.

The identity of the suspect has not been made public at this time.

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