Victim identified in fatal hit and run crash | News

UPDATE Monday - (WZZM) - The victim of the fatal hit and run in the City of Muskegon on Saturday has been identified as Demari Churchwell, 19, who resided in the Muskegon.

UPDATE (3:30 p.m.)- Dwayne Watkins, 24, has turned himself into detectives at the Muskegon Police Department and his vehicle has been found and impounded as the investigation continues.

Watkins is lodged in the Muskegon County Jail on a charge of leaving the scene of a traffic crash causing death or serious injury.

MUSKEGON, Mich. (WZZM)- The Muskegon Police Department is investigating a fatal hit and run traffic crash that happened at Catherine Avenue and Williams Street in Muskegon on Saturday night.

Muskegon Police say officers were dispatched to a report of a traffic crash involving a moped and another vehicle at this location.

Upon arrival, officers found the victim, a 19 year old Muskegon resident, lying next to a moped.  The subject was unresponsive and medical and fire personnel responded to scene. He was transported to a local hospital where he later died. He was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.

The vehicle which struck the moped fled the scene and was followed by a witness. Officers responded to the location the witness last saw the vehicle, but the vehicle and driver were not located.

Investigators believe from witness information that the fleeing vehicle is a blue in color full size van with a Michigan plate of CAX-2913.  A vehicle matching this description with this plate is registered to a Dwayne Watkins of Muskegon.

Investigators are still attempting to locate the van and/or Watkins.  Watkins is a person of interest only at this time and investigators want to speak with him.

If anyone knows the whereabouts of Watkins or sees this vehicle, they are asked to call 911 immediately or Silent Observer at 231-722-7463.