Michigan AG to review death of suspect struck by MSP vehicle

Michigan's attorney general will review the death of a suspect last week after a state police vehicle struck him near Grand Rapids, officials said.

"Evidence gathered is being shared with the Michigan Department of Attorney General Dana Nessel, who, in accordance with MSP policy, will ultimately review the investigation to make a determination on whether any criminal charges will result," Michigan State Police officials said in a statement Thursday.

Samuel Sterling, 25, died April 17 when he was struck by a Michigan State Police vehicle as he fled from troopers, authorities said. They said Sterling was wanted on multiple arrest warrants.

Sterling absconded from probation in June 2022, Michigan's Department of Corrections said. It also said he had been sentenced in 2021 for two weapons charges and stealing a financial transaction device.

Michigan State Police Director Col. James Grady said he spoke to Sterling's family last week and assured them his agency would conduct an impartial and thorough investigation.

"I would like to thank the Office of Attorney General for coming alongside us in this investigation and for their commitment to conducting a timely review of the evidence in the case.," he said Thursday in a statement.

Nessel said her office's public integrity unit has investigated dozens of police-involved incidents and is dedicated to providing a thorough and just review and resolution in each case.

"Public integrity is a top priority for my department, which is why we have grown the unit, allowing us to take on all criminal reviews of events involving an on-duty Michigan State Police trooper," she said in a statement.

Officials said state police and other law enforcement agencies last week Wednesday were conducting a fugitive arrest operation in Kentwood and looking for Sterling. Kentwood is about 7.5 miles south of Grand Rapids.

Police at about 11:20 a.m. saw him at a gas station at 52nd Street and Eastern Avenue putting air in a vehicle's tires, they said. Troopers approached him, he fled and they gave chase on foot. One member of the state police's team pursued in an unmarked vehicle.

Officials said Sterling and the vehicle converged in a Burger King's parking lot on Eastern Avenue where the car struck him. Medics arrived and took Sterling to a hospital, where he died from his injuries.

cramirez@detroitnews.com

X: @CharlesERamirez