Tot survives being dragged by SUV

MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich. (AP) — A sport-utility vehicle slammed into a young couple walking with their 1-year-old daughter, then drove for a mile with the baby and her stroller lodged in the grill. The child survived, but her father was killed.

A suspect was in custody, and authorities allege he was drunk at the time of the Tuesday evening crash.

The vehicle hit Deborah Young, her father, Roland Young Jr., 20, of Hamtramck, and her mother, Sharita Wilson, 19, on a dark stretch of road in Clinton Township.

Brian Yonka, who was traveling in the opposite direction, said the SUV appeared to cross the white line on the road's right edge before hitting the family and continuing along the road. He stopped to help the victims and identify the vehicle.

"I turned to look because I was trying to get a license plate number but all I could see was sparks and stuff coming out from underneath the Jeep," said Yonka, 23.

The sparks apparently were caused by the stroller. It had become lodged in the grill with the baby still inside, and was dragged along on the pavement as the SUV sped away, police said.

Yonka did not see the stroller and police didn't learn about the baby until Wilson asked about her as paramedics treated the woman.

The hit-and-run driver apparently stopped about a mile away, freed the mangled stroller from the grill — with Deborah still inside — and drove off. The crying child was still strapped inside the stroller when police and others found her.

Deborah, who suffered cuts to her face, was listed in fair condition Wednesday at University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor.

Roland Young was pronounced dead at a Mount Clemens hospital, where Wilson was listed in fair condition Wednesday.

Arrested late Tuesday was Robert W. Gallas, 47, of Clinton Township. He was arraigned Wednesday on six counts of operating while intoxicated and leaving the scene of an accident. All carry maximum five-year sentences except one count of operating while intoxicated, causing death, which carries a 15-year maximum.

Gallas' attorney, Brian Legghio, entered innocent pleas for him, said Linda Anderson, criminal clerk. Bond was set at $1 million.

A telephone message seeking comment from Legghio was not immediately returned Wednesday.