Stephen Singleton
ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich. (FOX 2) - A suspect accused of hitting and killing a well-known pastor in Rochester Hills last year is facing charges - but likely won't actually go through court proceedings because he was deported before charges were filed.
Jhadiel Portilla, 28, was charged Wednesday with moving violation causing death and possession of a forged license plate for the Nov. 3, 2024 crash that killed Stephen Singleton.
The backstory:
Singleton, 72, had just left for his morning walk and was crossing Rochester Road at Avon when he was hit by a 2013 Ford Focus. He was wearing a reflective vest, and investigators believe he was using a crosswalk when he was struck.
After the crash, Singleton's family expressed anger that the suspect, Portilla, was released pending a federal court date since he was an undocumented immigrant.
Family of well known Detroit-area pastor killed in crash questions why suspect was released
A well-known Detroit-area pastor has died after police say he was struck by a car driven by an undocumented immigrant. Now his family is wondering why that driver was let go as they grieve.
Dig deeper:
According to a press release Wednesday from the Oakland County Prosecutor's Office, Portilla was deported to Columbia on Feb. 18. Because of this, he likely will not be prosecuted for the deadly crash.
The Source: Previous FOX 2 reporting and a press release from the Oakland County Prosecutor's Office were used in this story.
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