Center Line

Warren man charged in fatal accident

CENTER LINE — Family and friends are mourning the loss of a 56-year-old Center Line Park Towers resident who was fatally hit by a car while trying to cross Van Dyke Avenue at about 8 p.m. June 17.

Roma Sokol was pronounced dead at a local hospital after she was struck by a vehicle reportedly driven by Warren resident Timothy Morgan. Police alleged Morgan, 41, was drinking alcohol before he got behind the wheel.

Morgan was formerly charged June 19 before visiting Judge Matthew Rumora in Warren's 37th District Court with operating while intoxicated causing death and also with two counts of operating while intoxicated with occupants less than 16 years of age.

The accident occurred as Sokol attempted to cross Van Dyke north of 10 Mile Road. Morgan was reportedly driving north on Van Dyke, and according to Public Safety, the victim was not at a crosswalk.

“A lot of our residents avoid the crosswalk. We wish they wouldn’t do that,” Detective Sgt. Robert Plotzke said. “We wish the residents would use the crosswalk. It’s a much safer avenue of travel for the pedestrians.”

Because the investigation is ongoing, police are not releasing certain details about the incident.

According to police, Morgan’s daughter and her friend were in the vehicle when the accident occurred. Neither they nor Morgan were injured in the incident, Plotzke said.

Morgan was released on a $25,000 cash surety bond. He is awaiting a preliminary examination as police wait for toxicology results on his blood alcohol level at the time of the accident. 

—Maria Allard