SAGINAW COUNTY, MI — Saginaw County Sheriff’s Office Investigates Fatal Hit-and-Run Incident Involving Pedestrian in Albee Township
SAGINAW COUNTY, MI — On the early morning of May 10, 2025, tragedy struck in Albee Township as the Saginaw County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a pedestrian-involved hit-and-run incident. The call came in at approximately 3:25 AM, reporting a pedestrian who had been struck by a vehicle near the intersection of Fergus Road and Bishop Road.
Upon arrival at the scene, deputies discovered the lifeless body of 53-year-old Melissa Spitler, a resident of Brant, Michigan, who had suffered fatal injuries after being struck by an unidentified vehicle. Despite the best efforts of first responders, Spitler was pronounced dead at the scene.
The news has sent shockwaves through the community, as friends, family, and loved ones are left to mourn the sudden and tragic loss of a woman who was clearly an important part of her community. The Saginaw County Sheriff’s Office has launched a full investigation into the incident, and authorities are actively working to identify the vehicle involved and the individual responsible for this heart-wrenching hit-and-run.
Details of the Incident
The incident occurred on Fergus Road, just west of Bishop Road, in a rural area of Albee Township. Deputies from the Saginaw County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched immediately after receiving reports of a pedestrian struck by a vehicle.
Upon their arrival, authorities discovered that the victim, later identified as Melissa Spitler, had sustained severe injuries from the collision. Based on the evidence collected at the scene, it is believed that the vehicle responsible for the incident fled the scene after the collision, failing to render aid or provide any form of assistance to the victim.
The exact details surrounding the events leading up to the crash remain unclear, but authorities have been diligent in piecing together evidence to help shed light on what happened. Preliminary investigations suggest that the driver of the vehicle may have been traveling on Fergus Road in the early hours of the morning when they struck the victim, and then proceeded to flee the area, leaving Melissa Spitler behind.
Investigation and Search for the Responsible Vehicle
The Saginaw County Sheriff’s Office has begun a thorough investigation into this fatal hit-and-run, with a focus on identifying the vehicle involved. Deputies are reviewing surveillance footage from the surrounding area, speaking with witnesses, and gathering any potential leads that could point to the driver or the vehicle involved in the crash.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, it is believed that the suspect vehicle may have sustained damage in the collision, possibly to the front end or windshield. Investigators are asking anyone who may have witnessed the incident or seen a vehicle with damage matching this description in the area of Fergus Road and Bishop Road to come forward with information.
The Sheriff’s Office has also reached out to local residents and businesses to gather any relevant footage from security cameras that may have captured the suspect vehicle before or after the collision. Authorities are doing everything they can to locate the driver responsible for this senseless act, and they have urged the community to remain vigilant and report any potential sightings of the vehicle.
Victim’s Identity and Community Impact
The victim, Melissa Spitler, was identified as a 53-year-old woman from Brant, Michigan. Her tragic passing has left a deep void in her family and the community she called home. Those who knew Melissa remember her as a kind-hearted and compassionate woman who was always willing to lend a helping hand to those in need.
Family members, friends, and neighbors have expressed their shock and sadness following the news of her death, remembering her as a loving mother, sister, and friend who was cherished by all who knew her. Melissa’s passing has sent a wave of grief through the community, where she was known for her warm spirit and friendly demeanor. As the investigation continues, her loved ones are left struggling to come to terms with the fact that she was taken from them so suddenly and under such tragic circumstances.
“I can’t believe she’s gone,” said Sarah Thompson, a longtime friend of Melissa. “She was such a kind, sweet person, and to have something like this happen to her is devastating. It doesn’t feel real.”
Melissa’s family is urging anyone who may have information about the hit-and-run incident to come forward and assist the investigation. They are hoping that someone with knowledge of the vehicle involved will step forward, so they can begin to find answers and seek justice for their loved one.
A Call for Community Assistance
The Saginaw County Sheriff’s Office has made it clear that they need the public’s help in solving this case. Authorities are asking anyone with information related to the incident — whether you witnessed the crash, noticed a suspicious vehicle, or have any other potentially valuable details — to contact them immediately.
If you have any information that could help investigators in locating the driver responsible for this tragic hit-and-run, please contact the Saginaw County Sheriff’s Office at 989-790-5423. Additionally, the Crime Stoppers hotline remains open for anonymous tips, allowing individuals to share information without fear of retribution.
“Every piece of information is crucial in helping us bring justice to the family of Melissa Spitler,” said Sheriff James M. Braidwood of the Saginaw County Sheriff’s Office. “We encourage anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has information about the vehicle to contact us as soon as possible. Our goal is to bring closure to the family and hold the responsible party accountable for their actions.”
The Devastating Consequences of Hit-and-Run Incidents
Hit-and-run accidents are particularly tragic because they deprive the victim’s family and loved ones of the opportunity to receive answers or justice in a timely manner. In many cases, such incidents also prevent law enforcement from being able to immediately provide assistance or investigate the situation, as the responsible driver leaves the scene without regard for the life they have impacted.
In this case, the Saginaw County Sheriff’s Office is working tirelessly to uncover the truth and bring closure to the victim’s family, but they need the community’s help to do so. The fact that Melissa Spitler was left at the scene without aid or assistance adds another layer of heartbreak to this already devastating situation. Hit-and-run accidents leave not only physical injuries but emotional scars on the families of those involved.
Conclusion: A Community in Mourning
The loss of Melissa Spitler is a tragedy that has left the entire Saginaw County community in mourning. Her family, friends, and neighbors are grieving the untimely death of a woman who touched the lives of so many with her kindness and warmth. As authorities work to investigate the hit-and-run incident and track down the responsible individual, there is hope that the community’s efforts to share information will help bring justice to the victim and her family.
The Saginaw County Sheriff’s Office continues to urge anyone with information to come forward, ensuring that this senseless act does not go unanswered. As the investigation unfolds, the community remains united in their desire to see the responsible party held accountable and to honor the memory of Melissa Spitler.
Please remember: If you have any information regarding this tragic hit-and-run, contact the Saginaw County Sheriff’s Office at 989-790-5423 or reach out to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP. Every bit of information could be crucial to solving this case.