Redford Twp man on bicycle killed in hit and run

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A bicyclist from Redford is killed in a hit and run on Detroit's west side, now Detroit police are looking for help from you to find the driver that fled.

A mangled bike on Telegraph and McNichols marks where a bicyclist was killed in a hit and run Friday morning.

Ernie Kratzet says the victim was his best friend and that he had lent him the bike earlier that night.

"Tony was a beautiful man," said Ernie Kratzet, the victim's friend. "He worked so hard. I just can't understand why somebody would want to leave the scene."

He says the victim's name is Tony McDonald, and he lived in a trailer not far from the scene in Redford Township.

"You hurt a lot of people man," Kratzet said.  "We almost had the band back together too. I just don't understand it."

Police say it happened around 1:30 a.m., and just minutes before the hit and run, he was right here at this Mobil gas station, talking to customers.

Surveillance video captures the last moments he was alive before he was struck by a car traveling south on Telegraph, the victim was crossing at McNichols. The driver fled the scene, leaving him to die.

"It may have been an accident, we don't know, but when you walk away from it, you give the inclination that you don't care," said Michelle Horton, a witness.

"They should've had more respect for human life than that," said Eugene Deman, a witness.

The suspect's vehicle is described as a black or grey older model Cadillac. Police do not yet know who was at fault or if drugs or alcohol were factors.

"He didn't have an enemy in the world," said Kratzet.

Anyone who knows anything about the driver of the vehicle that fled is asked to call Detroit police (313) 596-5200 with that information, you can also leave an anonymous tip with 1-800-SPEAK-UP.