GARDEN CITY, Mich. – The Good Samaritan who was shot in the head after witnessing a serious car crash and trying to help has some people thinking twice about what to do in a similar situation.
Background: Police kill man who shot at witnesses after crash in Garden City
A 37-year-old man from Hamtramck, involved in the crash, responded to Antoine Williams’ help with gunfire.
Local 4 spoke with Michigan State Police Lt. Mike Shaw about what a witness should do following a car crash.
“We talk about it all the time, especially on the freeway, is where we advise people not to get involved in traffic crashes because a lot of times those witnesses or those Good Samaritans end up getting hit by another car,” he said.
Tuesday’s incident didn’t happen on a freeway, but on a busy road, Ford Road near Venoy Road in Garden City.
Shaw said it is always best to call 911, which Williams did first.
“Here’s somebody that for whatever reason that we are trying to determine decides that they are going to fire a weapon at witnesses, instead of get their help,” he said about the suspect who was later shot and killed by Garden City police.
Shaw said if you still want to rush in to help following a crash, be cautious.
“It is something that you are going to have to kind of evaluate as you go along, but just know in the back of your head not every situation may be what you think it is,” he said. “The best thing you can do is call the police if you can and the kind of guide your way through that situation to see if you are actually putting your own self in danger by trying to help instead of kind of staying back and letting police to take care of it,” he said.
Williams is recovering at a hospital and is very much thankful to be alive.
“What happened to me was a tragedy, so I’m not in position to advise or tell someone to help or not help. I can only speak for myself, I would help again because I would want someone to help my family,” he said in a statement.