(WXYZ) — The Oakland County Sheriff's Office is investigating after a 13-year-old girl was killed and five others were injured in a Wednesday four-vehicle hit-in-run crash in Walled Lake during a police pursuit.
According to the sheriff's office, the accident happened around 7:45 p.m. on eastbound West Maple Road near Decker when a 2023 Jeep Gladiator collided with two other vehicles while it was being pursued by Walled Lake police.
Officials say the two occupants of the Jeep ran away from the scene. A 2010 Honda Fit was involved in the crash and it was being driven by a 51-year-old Commerce Township woman who had her two daughters in the vehicle, a 10-year-old and 13-year-old. According to the sheriff's office, the 13-year-old girl was removed from the vehicle by paramedics and taken to the hospital where she was later pronounced dead. The 10-year-old was reportedly ejected and is currently in critical but stable condition. The mother, officials say, is hospitalized in serious condition. The sheriff's office says it is unclear at this time if the occupants of the Honda were wearing seat belts.
Another vehicle involved in the crash was a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox, which was being driven by 43-year-old Commerce Township resident Constance Lancenese. Her 10-year-old son was also in the car.
“I’ve never been in that type of collision before but it was hard,” Lancenese said. “One second and instead of the hood of my car it would have been us.”
Officials say both Lancenese and her son were wearing seat belts at the time and were treated and released Wednesdsay night.
A fourth vehicle was reportedly struck by the Honda as it spun. The driver was treated and released Wednesday night, the sheriff's office says.
Officials are still looking for the individuals who fled the scene.
“Finding some justice for those girls is really all that I’m after at this point," Lancenese said. "I can’t imagine being in their position, their lives are wrecked.”
“As a former fatal accident investigator, I know how traumatic it is because they’re so instantaneously ripped from your lives,” said Sheriff Michael Bouchard.
The Sheriff and Lancenese are pleading that those involved who ran from the scene will come forward.
"You’ve done enough damage, you need to come forward and give these families some solace, some justice,” said Lancenese.
"One way or another we’re going to find you, so do the right thing and turn yourself in," Sheriff Bouchard said. "You caused the loss of life, the horrific loss of life of a 13 year old, and there’s nothing that will ever justify that.”
7 Action News will continue to update this story as we learn more information
