Executive Summary
- Bryan Derryberry, 51, was charged with failing to stop at the scene of a fatal accident.
- The victim, Edward Detroit, 68, was struck and killed on Middlebelt Road on New Year’s Day.
- Police allege evidence from a Road Commission snowplow confirmed its involvement in the crash.
- Bond was set at $100,000 with a court hearing scheduled for January 16.
An Oakland County snowplow driver has been charged in connection with a fatal hit-and-run collision that resulted in the death of a pedestrian on New Year’s Day in Farmington Hills, according to local authorities. Bryan Derryberry, 51, was arraigned Tuesday in the 47th District Court on charges of failing to stop at the scene of a serious personal injury accident.
According to court records, the incident occurred on January 1 along Middlebelt Road. Farmington Hills police officers responded to a report of an unconscious man lying on the roadside at approximately 8 a.m. The victim, identified as 68-year-old Edward Detroit of Macomb County, was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Investigators determined that the crash took place between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. A preliminary investigation indicated the victim had been struck by a vehicle. Detectives subsequently established that a snowplow truck belonging to the Road Commission for Oakland County was in the vicinity at the time of the fatality. Authorities stated that evidence recovered from the truck confirmed its involvement in the crash and that Derryberry was operating the vehicle at the time.
If convicted of the charge, Derryberry faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison. A judge set his bond at $100,000, and a court hearing is scheduled for January 16. Court records did not list defense counsel for Derryberry as of Wednesday.
Farmington Hills Police Chief John Piggott stated, “The quick resolution of this case is testament to the hard work of our investigators and support from the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office.” He added that law enforcement hopes the arrest brings “some measure of closure” to the victim’s family.
Judicial and Investigative Outlook
This case highlights the forensic capabilities employed in traffic investigations, particularly involving municipal vehicles where physical evidence and operational logs often play critical roles in establishing timelines. As the matter proceeds through the judicial system, the focus will likely shift to the specific circumstances of the collision and the operator’s alleged failure to remain at the scene as required by law. It is important to note that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
