DETROIT – This time of year is supposed to be about celebrating new beginnings. Instead, the family of one man is mourning his tragic end.
Eight days have passed since Dion Emery was killed in a hit-and-run on Christmas Eve near the intersection of Schoolcraft and Greenfield roads.
“He died by himself, He died by himself,” cried Dion’s mother, Patricia Rutland.
“He was a wonderful person. He was a great dad, he lights up the room every time he comes in,” said the mother of Dion’s child, Sheri Stewart.
Detroit police are looking for what they believe is a blue or purple sedan, possibly a Ford Fusion.
“He was well-known, he was well-loved and was well cared about. He has a son that doesn’t have his father anymore,” Sheri added.
His mother, and other family members, are all questioning why someone would hit Dion and keep on driving, on Christmas Eve of all days. But the family is also wondering why no one called them to let them know their loved one was killed. Reports were placed out that a 44-year-old man was found dead at the intersection when Patricia and others were looking for him the whole time.
“All they had to do was come here and notify us. We knew Christmas Eve may not have been a good time, but it would have been better than to wait eight days,” said Patricia. If it wasn’t for a post made to a group on social media, the family would have never found out.
“When they posted it on Metro Crime, people poured out. My son was well-loved. He worked at two casinos,” Patricia said. And they have a message for whoever was behind the wheel.
“Please turn yourself in. You just left. Who’s to say, maybe Dion could have been saved,” Patricia concluded.
Dion’s family is saying that they still have not heard from anyone from the police department. Local 4 reached out to DPD to see why and were told no one was available to speak on that at this time.
Police are still looking for the driver. Anyone with information is asked to call the Detroit Police Department at 313-596-2260 or you can also leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP.
More: Detroit crime news