WALLED LAKE (WWJ) -- Police are searching for two men in their late-teens or early 20s who ran off after allegedly causing a high-speed collision that killed a 13-year-old girl and left five others injured.
The suspects were fleeing Walled Lake Police at the time of the crash, according to the Oakland County Sheriff's Office.
A mom and her two daughters were driving home from skating practice around 7:45 p.m. Wednesday evening when the suspects' Jeep Renegade ran a red light at the intersection of Maple and Decker Rd., striking the family's vehicle.
The 13-year-old was pronounced dead at the hospital after paramedics removed her from the family's 2010 Honda Fit. Her younger sister is in "critical but stable condition" after being ejected from the car, according to the sheriff's office.
Their mother is hospitalized in serious condition. The sheriff's office says it is not yet clear whether the family was wearing their seat belts at the time of the crash.
Following the crash, the occupants of the Jeep -- now described as young men in their late-teens or early-20s from West Bloomfield -- fled the scene on foot. Authorities are still searching for them, as of 4:30 p.m. Thursday.
WWJ's Mike Campbell reports authorities believe the suspects were involved in an earlier collision and fled the scene when they saw police coming, and ultimately running a red light and causing caused the fatal wreck while speeding away.
The sheriff's office says a a 43-year-old Commerce Twp. woman and her 10-year-old son were both wearing seatbelts when their Chevy Equinox was hit by the suspects in the crash. Both were treated and released Wednesday night, according to the sheriff's office.
Campbell spoke with that driver, Constance Lancenese, who said that she has been in contact with the father of the affected family.
"My husband and I... anything we can do to help them, we're [sic] gonna do it," she said. "This should never have happened."
Lancenese also said she hopes the suspects turn themselves in "because they changed lives last night."
The sheriff's office says a fourth vehicle, a 2023 Cadillac STX, was stopped at the light at West Maple and Decker when it was struck by the Honda as it spun. The driver, a 58-year-old Commerce Twp. woman, was treated and released Wednesday night. She was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.
Both Walled Lake PD and the Oakland County Sheriff's Office are investigating.
WWJ Newsradio 950 will have the latest updates as more information becomes available. >>LISTEN LIVE!
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