2008 Woodie Awards
Police continue search for hit-and-run suspect
O'Kelly's employee in serious condition
By: Alex Piazza
Issue date: 1/7/08 Section: News
With hundreds of people celebrating the new year inside O'Kelly's Sports Bar and Grill, Mount Pleasant Police admit it will take some time to pinpoint the driver of a vehicle that struck and ran over James Ronald Williams outside.
"It is time-consuming because you have to set up all the interviews," said Dave Sabuda, MPPD public information officer. "And every tip you receive, you end up getting more contacts."
But a $20,000 incentive for any information that leads to the arrest and conviction of those suspects involved certainly could help move things along.
The family of the 21-year-old Mount Pleasant man announced Thursday they would reward anyone who came forward with information regarding the hit-and-run.
"O'Kelly's is actually putting up quite a bit of that reward," said Bob Williams, the victim's great-uncle. "I heard it was very substantial, but I don't know the dollar amount."
James Ronald Williams, an assistant manager at O'Kelly's, was found by fellow employees around 4:30 a.m. Tuesday lying in a snow-covered service drive between O'Kelly's and the Stadium Mall, located off of Mission Street.
"Physical evidence at the scene indicates that the victim was struck and run over by a vehicle," Sabuda said.
However, Sabuda said there is no surveillance equipment located in the area in which the incident took place.
After fellow employees found Williams lying in the snow, he was taken to Central Michigan Community Hospital, and later transported by ambulance to Saginaw Covenant Hospital.
"The physical evidence also indicates that the victim had been lying where he was found for a period of time," Sabuda said.
Upon arriving to the hospital, Williams was initially listed in critical condition. But after a number of surgeries, his condition was upgraded to serious, but stable.
"He is in pretty tough shape," said Bob Williams. "He's got several broken bones in his face and I don't think he'll be conscious for another week. They're keeping him sedated quite a bit because of the pain."
Bob Williams said James Ronald Williams may have to undergo facial reconstructive surgery because the swelling is so bad around his eyes that they are nearly closed shut.
Anyone with information should contact the Mount Pleasant Police Department tip line at 779-9111.
news@cm-life.com
"It is time-consuming because you have to set up all the interviews," said Dave Sabuda, MPPD public information officer. "And every tip you receive, you end up getting more contacts."
But a $20,000 incentive for any information that leads to the arrest and conviction of those suspects involved certainly could help move things along.
The family of the 21-year-old Mount Pleasant man announced Thursday they would reward anyone who came forward with information regarding the hit-and-run.
"O'Kelly's is actually putting up quite a bit of that reward," said Bob Williams, the victim's great-uncle. "I heard it was very substantial, but I don't know the dollar amount."
James Ronald Williams, an assistant manager at O'Kelly's, was found by fellow employees around 4:30 a.m. Tuesday lying in a snow-covered service drive between O'Kelly's and the Stadium Mall, located off of Mission Street.
"Physical evidence at the scene indicates that the victim was struck and run over by a vehicle," Sabuda said.
However, Sabuda said there is no surveillance equipment located in the area in which the incident took place.
After fellow employees found Williams lying in the snow, he was taken to Central Michigan Community Hospital, and later transported by ambulance to Saginaw Covenant Hospital.
"The physical evidence also indicates that the victim had been lying where he was found for a period of time," Sabuda said.
Upon arriving to the hospital, Williams was initially listed in critical condition. But after a number of surgeries, his condition was upgraded to serious, but stable.
"He is in pretty tough shape," said Bob Williams. "He's got several broken bones in his face and I don't think he'll be conscious for another week. They're keeping him sedated quite a bit because of the pain."
Bob Williams said James Ronald Williams may have to undergo facial reconstructive surgery because the swelling is so bad around his eyes that they are nearly closed shut.
Anyone with information should contact the Mount Pleasant Police Department tip line at 779-9111.
news@cm-life.com
