Harrison Township

Arrest made in Harrison Township hit-and-run

By Julie Snyder
C & G Staff Writer

Fronczak

HARRISON TOWNSHIP — A 58-year-old Milford woman was arrested June 22 after county investigators discovered that the exterior damage to her 2006 Toyota Corolla matched evidence found at the scene of a hit-and-run crash nearly a week earlier.

Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham said Margaret Mary Fronczak is being charged with failure to stop at the scene of a serious injury accident after striking 17-year-old Kara Duquet, who was riding her bike on Jefferson, south of Crocker, at just before 11 p.m. June 16.

Witnesses told investigators that the driver of the vehicle, described as a black 2003-2007 Toyota, was traveling north of Jefferson when it approached Duquet, who was traveling south. The vehicle suddenly veered off the roadway and struck Duquet. The driver of the Toyota then fled the scene northbound on Jefferson. The Toyota sustained damage to the front passenger side of the vehicle, according to the sheriff.

Duquet, who graduated from L’Anse Creuse High School only weeks ago, had just gotten off work at Terry’s Terrace and was riding home when she was struck only blocks away from the restaurant.

She was transported to McLaren-Macomb Medical Center in Mount Clemens, where she was treated for multiple fractures and underwent surgery for two broken legs.

Wickersham said Fronczak was identified as a suspect in the crime after an insurance adjuster paid a visit to a collision shop in Milford.

“He noticed a vehicle parked in their lot and was aware we were looking for a similar vehicle that matched the description,” he said. “It had damage to the front passenger’s side of the vehicle.”

Investigators learned that Fronczak had brought in her vehicle and asked that it be repaired quickly and said she would pay in cash.

Wickersham said the damage to the vehicle matched evidence that was found at the scene, including parts of the vehicle.

The sheriff was unable to say whether Fronczak admitted to hitting anything the night in question, “She did say she was the only one who drove her car that night.”

Fronczak has no prior convictions.

She had an interim bond hearing on June 23 at which time her bond was set at $50,000. Wickersham said on June 25 that Fronczak had posted bond, and she was expected to be formally charged that day.
 

You can reach C & G Staff Writer Julie Snyder at jsnyder@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1039.