Kalamazoo Hit-and-Run Kills Mark Allen McBride
Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety investigates fatal incident.
Mark Allen McBride, 51, of Kalamazoo, was pronounced dead in a hit-and-run crash on South Westnedge Avenue near Axtell Street in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo County, Michigan, on March 25, according to the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety (KDPS).
KDPS officers responded to reports of a personal injury crash around 8:45 p.m. and found McBride in the road with catastrophic injuries. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Witnesses told investigators they saw two vehicles speeding in the area around the time of the crash. Investigators believe one of those vehicles hit McBride before leaving the scene.
Using FUSUS video integrated technology and license plate reader systems, the suspected vehicle was identified. It was later recovered unoccupied in Galesburg. The Kalamazoo Forensics Crime Lab processed both the crash scene and the recovered vehicle.
Insurance companies are unconcerned with the costs that come with injury recovery. An attorney experienced in hit-and-run cases can help, ensuring victims' rights are protected even when the at-fault driver has fled.
National Legal Analyst Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal, noted that "What's truly haunting about hit-and-runs is the feeling of being abandoned in a moment of crisis. Most of these drivers are caught within forty-eight hours if there's any physical evidence left behind."
Investigators carefully examine crash scenes for physical evidence like vehicle debris, paint transfers, and tire marks. They also canvass the area for surveillance footage and interview witnesses who might have observed the event or the fleeing vehicle. The use of FUSUS video integrated technology and license plate readers, as seen in this Kalamazoo case, has become increasingly vital in identifying vehicles involved in hit-and-run incidents. Data from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety indicates a concerning rise in hit-and-run crashes nationally.
The prevalence of residential doorbell cameras and business security systems has significantly increased the chances of apprehending hit-and-run drivers. These systems often capture important details about the vehicle, including make, model, color, and sometimes even license plate information, which can be cross-referenced with other data sources.
A hit-and-run death happens every few hours in this country, leaving families with so many unanswered questions. Residential doorbell cameras have become a top source of evidence for catching drivers who don't stop.
Police have not yet identified any suspects in McBride's death, but the recovery of the suspected vehicle marks a significant step forward. The investigation is active and ongoing, with authorities urging anyone with information to come forward.
Under MCL § 600.2922, surviving family members may file a wrongful death action. Michigan applies modified comparative fault (50% bar). The statute of limitations is 3 years.
Recoverable damages may include loss of financial support, loss of society and companionship, and funeral expenses. Michigan's no-fault threshold does not apply to wrongful death claims.
When a driver flees the scene of a fatal accident, they face much harsher legal consequences than they would have if they had stayed.