On the evening of May 24, 2025, deputies from the Newaygo County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a hit-and-run incident near the intersection of W 11 Mile Road and N Woodbridge Road in Merrill Township. The call was made by a local resident who reported hearing the sounds of a traffic collision near the rural intersection and witnessing suspicious activity immediately afterward.
According to the caller’s statement, a white passenger vehicle — believed to be a Chevrolet Impala — was seen leaving the roadway under high speed or reckless circumstances. The vehicle reportedly struck a driveway with enough force to become momentarily airborne before crashing into a guy-wire (support line) attached to a nearby power pole. The impact caused visible damage to the infrastructure, and the vehicle ultimately came to rest nearby, suffering from a flat front-right tire.
The witness observed a younger white male, described as possibly in his late teens to early twenties, exiting the vehicle briefly. He appeared to inspect the scene or the damage before quickly returning to the car. Despite the apparent damage, the individual managed to drive the vehicle away from the scene before law enforcement arrived.
Sheriff’s deputies who arrived at the location found clear evidence of the collision, including a distinctive rim cover believed to have come from the suspect’s vehicle. The cover was described as a combination of chrome and black plastic, consistent with certain trim models of a Chevrolet Impala. Investigators are using this evidence, along with surveillance possibilities from nearby homes or businesses, to help identify the vehicle and its driver.
No injuries have been reported at this time, and no other vehicles appear to have been involved. However, the hit-and-run caused property damage to both public and private infrastructure, and the fleeing of the scene elevates the seriousness of the offense.
Authorities are asking for the public’s assistance in locating the suspect vehicle. It may now be operating with a missing rim cover on the right front wheel, and it could have visible body damage, especially on the front or undercarriage. Anyone who has seen a vehicle matching this description or has information about the incident is urged to contact the Newaygo County Sheriff’s Office at their non-emergency number or submit a tip anonymously via the local Crime Stoppers line.
This investigation remains ongoing.