KENTWOOD, Mich. — The cause of death for a man hit and killed by an unmarked Michigan State Police vehicle has been ruled "accidental," county officials confirm.
Samuel Sterling, 25, was hit by an unmarked Michigan State Police vehicle in Kentwood on the morning of April 17.
Sterling was putting air in his tires near 52nd Street and Eastern Avenue when he was found by multiple agencies looking for him on felony warrants, troopers said.
When officers approached Sterling, he ran away, police said. It led to a chase.
The vehicle that was driving parallel to Sterling then struck him, police say. He died later that day at the hospital.
He leaves behind three children.
While the cause of death is accidental, this does not mean charges cannot be filed in the case, Kent County's Assistant County Administrator Lori Latham said.
For a week, gatherings have been held for Sterling's loved ones and community members. They've been honoring his life and calling for justice.
One took place on Saturday in the parking lot of the Eastern Avenue Burger King, where Sterling was hit.
"Justice for Samuel. Release the tape. Name that officer," was chanted by the nearly 100 people who had gathered.
Many held signs which said "No justice, no peace," and "Samuel Sterling, say his name."
"Please, help us get justice for my son, Samuel," said Andrica, Sterling's mother.
The family called for MSP to show them the video of the incident and to make it public, along with calling for the officer who was driving the vehicle to be charged.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel will now be looking into the case, her office announced one day after the death. Sterling's family said this has renewed hope that they will get justice for Samuel.
The head of Michigan State Police, Col. James F. Grady II released a statement, saying in part:
As an African American male and a father, it's not lost on me that this is the death of another young African American male following an interaction with police.
As the Director of the Michigan State Police, I want to assure the community that we see you, hear you and will thoroughly and expeditiously investigate the incident.
The full statement can be found here.
A press conference will be held on Friday evening by the civil rights attorney representing Samuel Sterling's family, Ben Crump. You can watch it on 13 ON YOUR SIDE here.
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