As hit-and-runs mount, Pontiac officials work to enhance safety

By Max Bryan, Medianews Group

This 12 months, Pontiac has seen a results of hit-and-runs of them deadly and the town has carried out highway security to attempt to cease them.

Town had seven hit-and-runs in 2025 that precipitated critical or deadly accidents. Two of the deadly accidents, on July 3 and August 5, had been in blocks of one another on Baldwin Avenue, in response to the workplace of the Sheriff of Oakland County.

In response, metropolis officers have arrange a 3 -way cease on the intersection of Baldwin Avenue and Virginia Road.

“We take the security of autos and the security of pedestrians very critically within the metropolis and proceed to do all the things to enhance the security of that course, but additionally different corridors within the metropolis,” stated Mayor Tim Greimel.

The crash of 5 August killed Thomas Cummings, 43, which was hit close to Baldwin Avenue and Grandie Road. Cummings didn’t use a pedestrian crossing when it was hit, in response to the Sheriff workplace.

Sheriff Mike Bouchard van Oakland County stated that particularly Pontiac had an issue with individuals who stroll in darkish areas, away from pedestrian crossings.

“There is a crucial a part of this that must be a type of academic factor for the group – go to the pedestrian crossing, go to lights, issues like that all of us realized as kids,” stated Bouchard.

Whereas Bouchard set the accountability to be protected within the pedestrian, he stated there have been issues that would do the town to enhance public security. A factor is the addition of avenue lighting to an space.

On this sense, Greimel stated that the town labored to make sure that avenue lamps work alongside the Baldwin Avenue hall.

“We additionally painted pedestrian crossings on the ground” on the intersection of Baldwin and Virginia, Greimel stated.

Throughout their assembly of 12 August, the Pontiac municipal councilors famous that Baldwin Avenue has a excessive focus of pedestrian site visitors on account of a substantial momentary inhabitants within the space. The Baldwin Heart, whose defined mission is to ‘feed, gown, prepare, empowerment’, is on the intersection of Baldwin and Dwelling Road, proper subsequent to Virginia Road. Hope Shellers is on Baldwin between Tacoma Court docket and Virginia.

“There are people who find themselves at night time who must be a type of who haven’t any different selection. So I actually need to emphasize how deeply necessary highway security is for this group,” stated councilor Mikal Goodman.

Council members additionally stated it is necessary for motorists to cease after they contact somebody. Bouchard stated that leaving the scene of a hit-and-run “is opposite to all primary humanity.”

“If there may be ever an accident, for the love of God, please cease. As an individual, however as a doubtlessly a witness and as somebody who might be displayed and helps them get life -saving therapy on the spot,” stated Mike McGuinness. “Please be a very good neighbor; please be a pleasant and first rate particular person.”

Everybody with details about the deadly crashes is requested to name the Sheriff workplace on (248) 858-4950.

Initially printed: August 25, 2025 at 11:10 am Edt