Police catch driver after sergeant killed while jogging on Hines Drive

(WJBK) - The driver wanted after a hit-and-run accident killed a Wayne County Sheriff's sergeant has been found and arrested.

Wayne County Sheriff Benny Napoleon said in a press conference Thursday morning that a 47-year-old man from Detroit was arrested in Garden City around 5 a.m. About an hour later, he said a 2012 black Buick Enclave was found on Michigan Avenue.

Authorities had been looking for that Buick Enclave with front-end damage after 55-year-old Sgt. Lee Smith was hit and killed while he was jogging Tuesday on Hines Drive. 

"I told you the net was closing and the net was closing fast. The net has closed," Wayne County Sheriff Benny Napoleon said.

A Good Samaritan saw Sgt. Smith get hit. He jumped out of the car and tried to resuscitate him, while his friend stayed in their car and drove after the Buick. He eventually lost sight of the car, though, and the driver got away. 

"Each piece, as we dug further, started circling in and making it tighter and tighter and tighter," Napoleon said. "Without question, westland police has done an extraordinary job."

Witnesses say police arrived and broke down when they realized they'd lost one of their own.

Napoleon didn't elaborate on any other details about the case or how authorities were able to track down the suspect. The suspect's name has not yet been given. 

"What's important is we have a suspect in custody and a key piece of evidence: the vehicle," said Westland Police Chief Jeff Jedrusik.

Sgt. Smith served with the Wayne County Sheriff's Department for more than 25 years. He was going to retire this fall. He led the Mounted Unit and was jogging home after feeding the horses on his day off. 

Smith was married and leaves behind a 28-year-old son. He was due to retire on October 1.

Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.