Inset: Sam Skinner, far right, and her family (GoFundMe). Background: Parking lot in Holly Township, Michigan, where Skinner was run over by a pickup truck (Google Maps).
Police in Michigan are investigating after a 72-year-old man allegedly impaired by drugs ran over a woman holding her 1-year-old child.
The incident occurred around 6:30 p.m. Sunday in the parking lot of Alex”s Market & Grill in Holly Township, the Michigan State Police said. When troopers arrived, they found the 29-year-old woman — identified by family as Sam Skinner — unresponsive. Cops administered CPR until paramedics arrived and pronounced Skinner dead.
The 1-year-old also was run over but suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
Cops learned that Skinner was holding the 1-year-old and was either placing inside or taking out another child from her Ford Explorer in the parking lot of the convenience store and gas station, located around 55 miles northwest of Detroit. That’s when the driver of the pickup truck pulled out of the parking spot next to Skinner, cops said. He hit Skinner and the 1-year-old, running both of them over.
Troopers said they interviewed the driver of the “commercial grade Ford pickup truck” and “during the interview developed suspicion of narcotics impairment.”
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The man, who has not been publicly identified, was arrested and troopers obtained a warrant for a blood draw before releasing him.
“This investigation is still pending other evidence, medical examiner reports and results from the search warrant,” said MSP Lt. Mike Shaw. “It does appear at this time that impaired driving is the cause of this crash. While many drivers are aware of the impacts of alcohol while driving, we continue to remind drivers the same is true for drug impairment. It does not matter if they are prescribed drugs, marijuana or over the counter, they all impact your ability to drive.”
Troopers will complete their investigation and send their findings to prosecutors who will determine what criminal charges are warranted, authorities said.
Skinner’s family started a GoFundMe page that as of Tuesday morning raised north of $70,000.
“In a split second, the lives of everyone who loved her were changed forever,” the fundraiser said. “Sam was more than just a victim of this senseless tragedy — she was a vibrant, kind, and selfless soul. A devoted mother to her 1-year-old daughter, Marley, a loving stepmother of 5-year-old, Roman, a cherished daughter and sister, and a loyal friend to so many. Her warmth, laughter, and unconditional love will never be forgotten.”
