Suspect in Wixom hit-and-run that killed 14-year-old arrested in Lansing

WIXOM, Mich. (WJBK) - Authorities in Wixom say they have arrested a 21-year-old they believe is connected to a fatal hit-and-run Monday evening on Potter Road.

A 14-year-old boy was hit by a car and killed while riding his bicycle Monday around 5:40 p.m. The driver never stopped. Witnesses told police a white man in a Honda Odyssey was speeding down Potter Road when he hit the teen.

Police Chief Ron Moore said Tuesday 21-year-old Miguel Ibarra Cerda was arrested in Lansing. 

Moore said they believed Cerda was driving the blue Honda Odyssey that hit the young boy.

Moore said they believed Cerda was driving the blue Honda Odyssey that hit the young boy. He was arrested after Moore said they got a tip.

"An associate of Miguel came to the police station, gave us information that Miguel was in Lansing area," Moore said.

He was brought back to Wixom Tuesday after his arrest and charges are expected soon.

The teen who died has been identifed as Justin lee, a freshman at Walled Lake Western High School.

A memorial is growing where the young man lost his life and his friends are trying to understand why they had to lose their best friend.

"My heart - it just feels like a part of me was ripped out of me," Shane Donaldson said.

Chief Moore said the van was recovered later Monday night. Video from the scene showed the person in the van get out, enter a trailer, come back outside and get into a newer model blue Chevy Silverado or GMC Sierra with an extended cab.

"When I found out it felt...my heart just dropped and I felt something just leave me," Owen Hiller said. "I love Justin with all my heart. I can understand the pain (the family) is going through because I'm going through it too. He was more than a friend, he was family to me."

Lee played football at Walled Lake Western and is being remembered for his polite personality and joking demeanor. Parents said he was the good kid at sleepovers his friends said he was someone to look up to. 

"He was always there for anyone when we needed him, when we got down. all and all a good kid," Shane said. 

Neighbors say speeding has long been an issue on Potter Road, and that they had feared something like this would happen.

"Too many cars fly down this street," said Mike Henry. "A 30 mile (per hour) rural road is turned into a highway. I don't know why but the City of Wixom seems to divert the traffic this way, and they shouldn't."

Chief Moore pledged to work to reduce speeding in the area.

Meanwhile, a vigil is being held for Justin on Wednesday, June 13 on the football field at Walled Lake Western High School at 7 p.m. Also, if you'd like to make a donation to the family you can do so via a GoFundMe account here.