Hit-Run SUV Strikes Family, Killing Father, Dragging Child in Stroller

A sport utility vehicle slammed into a young couple walking with their 1-year-old daughter, then drove for a mile with the baby and her stroller lodged in the grill, police said Wednesday.

The child survived, but her father was killed.

A suspect was in custody, and authorities allege he was drunk at the time of the Tuesday night crash.

The vehicle hit Deborah Young, her father, Roland Young Jr., 20, of Hamtramck, and her mother, Sharita Wilson, 19, on a dark stretch of road in Clinton Township, northeast of Detroit.

Brian Yonka, who was traveling in the opposite direction, said the SUV appeared to cross the white line on the road’s right edge before hitting the family and continuing along the road. Yonka stopped to help the victims and identify the vehicle.

“I turned to look because I was trying to get a license plate number but all I could see was sparks and stuff coming out from underneath the Jeep,” said Yonka, 23.

The sparks apparently were caused by the stroller. It had become lodged in the grill with the baby still inside, and was dragged along on the pavement as the SUV sped away, police said.

Yonka did not see the stroller and police didn’t learn about the baby until Wilson asked about her as paramedics treated the woman.

The driver apparently stopped a mile away, freed the mangled stroller from the grill -- with Deborah still inside -- and drove off. The crying child was still strapped inside the stroller when police and others found her.

Deborah, who suffered cuts to her face, was listed in fair condition Wednesday at University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor. Roland Young was pronounced dead at a Mount Clemens hospital, where Wilson was listed in fair condition Wednesday.

Arrested Tuesday was Robert W. Gallas, 47, of Clinton Township. He was arraigned Wednesday on charges of driving while intoxicated, causing death, with a 15-year maximum sentence, and leaving the scene of an accident.

Gallas’ attorney, Brian Legghio, entered not guilty pleas for him, said Linda Anderson, criminal clerk. Bond was set at $1 million.