Charges Filed Against Kalamazoo Hit-and-Run Driver

A Kalamazoo man has been charged after a fatal March hit-and-run crash that killed Mark Allen McBride.

On March 25, at around 8:45 p.m., police responded to a reported crash on South Westnedge Avenue near Axtell Street in Kalamazoo. Officers found McBride suffering from catastrophic injuries. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Witnesses reported seeing two vehicles traveling at high speeds around the time of the crash, but only one vehicle was found at the scene.

Using license plate reader data and the FUSUS mapping program, investigators identified another vehicle believed to be involved in the crash and later recovered it, according to court records cited in local reports.

The vehicle was found in Galesburg about a week after the crash. According to court records, investigators reported finding blood inside the car and a photo ID belonging to 29-year-old Darqareion Mills.

Court records also allege that a speed analysis estimated Mills was driving between 70 and 93 mph at the time of the crash.

On May 5, authorities found Mills in Haywood County, Tennessee, and took him into custody. Mills was found in the attic space of a Brownsville home. After refusing to surrender or exit the attic space, he fell through the ceiling and was arrested.

Court records cited in local reports also allege that a search warrant for Mills's phone placed the phone on South Westnedge Avenue around the time McBride was struck. Those records reportedly include phone records showing that, after leaving the crash scene, Mills contacted a tow truck driver and his brother.

Mills has been charged with second-degree murder and failure to stop at the scene of an accident that caused death, according to Michigan court records. He is scheduled to return to court May 28 for a probable cause conference, followed by a preliminary examination on June 4.

McBride's family has established a scholarship in his name. With the help of a GoFundMe campaign, the family raised enough money to fund the scholarship for several years. They also plan to transition the scholarship into a formal foundation.

"We've been through all the stages of grief that you hear about," Mark's younger brother, Adam McBride, said. "And I think one of those is trying to find some positives with everything that's going on and finding a way to honor him."

On Tuesday, May 19, the McBride family presented the $2,500 scholarship to a student-athlete in McBride's hometown of Wayland.

Mills is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

Michigan Hit-and-Run Laws

Under Michigan law, drivers involved in crashes resulting in serious injury or death generally must stop at the scene and remain there until they provide required information or report the crash as the statute allows. MCL 257.617 addresses crashes involving serious impairment of body function or death, and MCL 257.619 addresses duties such as giving identifying information and rendering reasonable assistance to an injured person.

Leaving the scene of a fatal crash can result in serious criminal penalties, including felony charges and license consequences.

Even in crashes involving only property damage, Michigan law can require drivers to stop, report, or provide identifying information depending on the circumstances.

Hit-and-run investigations often rely on witness statements, nearby surveillance footage, vehicle debris, license plate reader data, phone records, traffic cameras, and forensic evidence to identify the vehicle and driver involved.

Murder Charges

Mills has been charged with second-degree murder. That is a serious criminal charge, and the prosecution must prove the required elements in court.

In Michigan, second-degree murder generally requires proof that a death was caused by the defendant, that the defendant acted with malice, and that the killing was without justification or excuse.

In a fatal crash case, prosecutors may point to alleged facts such as speed, flight from the scene, phone evidence, or other conduct. Those allegations still have to be tested in court, and the criminal case is separate from any civil claim the family may have.

Possible Issues Involving Other People

If investigators believe someone helped hide a vehicle, misled police, or helped a suspect avoid detection, that could raise separate legal issues. Whether any additional charges apply would depend on the facts, the evidence, and the law prosecutors choose to use.

This article does not assume anyone else committed a crime. It only notes that hit-and-run investigations may look at what happened after the crash, including where the vehicle went, who had access to it, and whether anyone helped conceal evidence.

Wrongful Death and Insurance Considerations After Fatal Michigan Crashes

Fatal pedestrian accidents and hit-and-run crashes can also raise civil legal issues for surviving family members.

In Michigan, the estate's personal representative may be able to pursue a wrongful death claim for eligible family members. A civil claim may involve damages recognized under Michigan law, including funeral expenses, medical expenses, lost financial support, and loss of society and companionship.

A fatal hit-and-run may also involve No-Fault benefits, available auto insurance, uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, evidence preservation, and questions about whether any other person or entity contributed to the crash.

Attorneys handling Michigan pedestrian accident cases often investigate factors such as roadway lighting, driver impairment, distracted driving, speeding, failure to yield, vehicle ownership, insurance coverage, and available video or phone evidence.

Get Help from Michigan Legal Center

Michigan Legal Center is the Law Offices of Christopher J. Trainor & Associates. Our attorneys help injured people and grieving families across Michigan with No-Fault claims, wrongful death cases, pedestrian crashes, hit-and-run claims, insurance disputes, and serious injury cases.

After a fatal crash, our attorneys can review police reports, preserve evidence, identify available insurance, evaluate No-Fault benefits, and determine whether a wrongful death claim may be available.

Call (248) 886-8650 or contact Michigan Legal Center for a free consultation.

There is no attorney fee unless money is recovered for you. Case costs and fee terms are governed by the written fee agreement.

Note

Our firm used outside sources when creating this post. We have not independently verified every fact regarding this accident. If you find information that is incorrect, contact Michigan Legal Center immediately so we can correct the post. This post can be removed upon request.

Disclaimer

This post is for general information only and is not legal or medical advice. If a photograph is used with this post, it was not taken at the actual accident scene unless specifically stated. This post is not a solicitation for business.