PONTIAC (WWJ) -- Oakland County authorities are searching for not one, but two drivers who left a Pontiac man fatally injured in the street after hitting him with their vehicles on New Year's Day.
The Oakland County Sheriff's Office said it happened in Pontiac at around 4:30 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2024, as 41-year old Esteban Cruz Luciano was on foot with another pedestrian on Perry Street.
According to investigators, Luciano and the other person were crossing Perry, near Pontiac Road, when Luciano was hit by what witnesses described as an older model GMC Yukon or Chevy Tahoe.
Luciano was then hit by a second vehicle described as a small pickup truck similar to a Dodge Dakota.
The witnesses couldn't say what colors the vehicles were, and there is no description of the drivers — neither of which stopped at the scene
Witnesses said both drivers fled southbound of Perry Street, and investigators haven't been able to find them.
EMS and the sheriff's office responded, and the victim was taken to McLaren Oakland Hospital in critical condition, with "significant head trauma." He later died of his injures, officials said.
An autopsy by the Oakland County Medical Examiner is scheduled for Tuesday.
As an investigation by the OCSO Crash Reconstruction Unit (CRU) continues, the sheriff's office is asking for tips from the public in this case.
If you, or anyone you know, may have information about the vehicles or
the drivers involved you are asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-Speak Up (800-773-2587). There is a cash reward of $1,000 available for the tip that leads to an arrest, and all callers will remain anonymous.
The public can also submit anonymous tips online at this link, or through the free P3 mobile app.