Warren Woman Killed in Hit-and-Run; Suspect Arrested Hours Later [Warren, MI]

A 54-year-old woman was killed in a hit-and-run crash in Warren in the early morning hours of Saturday, May 16, 2026, after she was struck by a vehicle while crossing Van Dyke Avenue near Nine Mile Road. The driver fled the scene without stopping to render aid. Less than twelve hours later, Warren police had identified and arrested the suspect. The story was reported by ClickOnDetroit Local 4 News and CBS Detroit.

According to Warren police, the crash occurred around 4 a.m. near the intersection of Nine Mile Road and Van Dyke Avenue. The woman was crossing the street on foot when she was struck by a southbound Chevrolet Malibu. The driver did not stop. She was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries and later died. Investigators identified the vehicle and traced it to a Detroit home the same day. Earnest Square, 24, of Detroit, was taken into custody after reportedly admitting to driving the vehicle at the time of the crash. Square was arraigned on Tuesday, May 19, on charges of leaving the scene of an accident causing death and driving while unlicensed causing death — both felonies under Michigan law. His bond was set at $250,000 cash or surety only. The investigation remains ongoing.

Van Dyke Avenue is one of Macomb County’s most heavily traveled corridors, running through the heart of Warren and carrying significant vehicle traffic at all hours. The stretch near Nine Mile Road is surrounded by commercial businesses, apartment complexes, and residential neighborhoods, with pedestrians crossing regularly throughout the day and night. Hit-and-run crashes on high-traffic corridors like Van Dyke have been a persistent concern for Warren residents, and this incident — occurring in the pre-dawn hours when visibility is lowest — is a tragic reminder of the vulnerability pedestrians face on Michigan’s busiest roads.

Understanding the Legal Implications of This Crash

When a pedestrian is killed in a hit-and-run crash, the family left behind faces a legal landscape that is both urgent and complex. Michigan law treats hit-and-run crashes with particular seriousness. A driver who strikes a person and flees the scene without rendering aid or reporting the crash can face felony criminal charges — as Earnest Square now does — including charges specifically tied to the death of the victim. The criminal case, however, is separate from the civil case that the victim’s family may pursue, and the outcome of one does not determine the other.

Under Michigan’s wrongful death statute, the family of the 54-year-old woman killed on Van Dyke Avenue has the right to pursue a civil claim against the responsible party for the full scope of their loss. That includes compensation for the loss of her companionship, guidance, and financial support, the emotional anguish the family has suffered, funeral and burial expenses, and the medical costs incurred between the crash and her death. The fact that Square was driving without a valid license — one of the charges he now faces — is also legally significant in a civil context, as it speaks directly to the recklessness of his conduct behind the wheel.

One of the critical questions in any hit-and-run case is insurance coverage. When the at-fault driver is uninsured or unlicensed, the family of the victim may be entitled to recover compensation through Michigan’s assigned claims plan or through uninsured motorist coverage if the victim had her own auto insurance policy. An experienced auto accident and liability attorney can quickly identify all available sources of recovery, preserve critical evidence while the criminal investigation is still active, and make sure the family’s civil rights are protected in parallel with the criminal proceedings against Square. Families in this situation should not wait — consulting with an attorney now gives them the strongest possible position as both cases move forward.

If your family has lost a loved one in a hit-and-run crash anywhere in Macomb County or the Metro Detroit area, you deserve experienced legal representation and real answers. Our team proudly serves clients throughout Warren, Macomb County, and the surrounding Metro Detroit communities. To speak with an experienced Michigan personal injury attorney, contact us today.

Source: ClickOnDetroit