Michigan: Firefighter dies after hit and run while collecting for charity
A Lansing firefighter has died after being struck by vehicle in what police are calling a deliberate hit-and-run crash on the city's south side. Dennis Rodeman, a seven-year veteran of the department, was collecting donations for a charity near the intersection of Cedar Street and Jolly Road when the incident happened about 3:40 p.m., police and city officials said.
The suspect — a 32-year-old Lansing man — drove away from the scene and was caught near the intersection of Holmes and Waverly roads after a car and foot chase, police said. Lansing police Capt. Jim Kraus said there was a "traffic altercation" in the moments before the incident, although he did not give specifics. "The suspect came by, was upset for whatever reason (and) circled back around" before striking the firefighter, Kraus said. "The preliminary investigation is that he deliberately hit the firefighter who was standing in the road, collecting for the charity."
The suspect, who was driving a small pickup truck, continued north on Cedar Street and eventually was stopped in the 3100 block of Lawdor Road, Lansing police Capt. Darin Southworth said in a news release. He ran from the vehicle and was caught by officers.
Witness Tionna Davis says a firefighter was hit by car while doing Fill the Boot on Cedar Street and Jolly. Dave Wasinger/Lansing State Journal
Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero announced Rodeman's death in a statement shortly before 8 p.m. Wednesday evening. Bernero called the incident "a senseless,unthinkable tragedy."
"We join the men and women of Lansing Fire and all citizens of Lansing in expressing our deepest condolences to his family, friends and colleagues for this heartbreaking loss," he said.
Rodeman was among several firefighters at the intersection collecting donations for muscular dystrophy research and was dressed in turnout gear and a reflective vest, Kraus said. He was standing in the center turn lane when he was hit, Kraus said.
Tionna Davis said she was driving southbound on Cedar Street when a northbound vehicle swerved from the right lane into the left lane and hit the firefighter. One of the boots the firefighter was wearing hit her car, she said.
"He literally tried to hit him," she said, referring to the suspect.
Lansing Firefighter hit collecting donations for 'Fill the Boot' campaign Dave Wasinger/Lansing State Journal
Traffic was moving very slowly at the time, Davis said. Two other drivers chased after the vehicle that struck the firefighter and managed to get the license plate number, she said.
Northbound lanes on Cedar Street at Jolly Road are closed, and the southbound side is reduced to one lane.
Firefighters were taking part in the Fill the Boot fundraising campaign by the Muscular Dystrophy Association and the International Association of Fire Fighters. The campaign has been running for more than 60 years, according to the MDA website.
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