By JAMES MITCHELL
Sunday Times Newspapers
TAYLOR – The death of a 24-year-old Dearborn man who’d been struck by a vehicle wasn’t an accident, according to police and prosecutors.
Hermilio Rodriguez, 36, was arraigned in 23rd District Court on charges of open murder and reckless driving causing death.
Rodriguez, of Lincoln Park, was charged with having intentionally struck Milton Joel Murillo-Vaqusero about 9:30 p.m. May 6 in the parking lot of Armstead USA in the 26900 block of Trolley Drive where both men worked. Murillo-Vaqusero was pronounced dead at the scene from injuries sustained when struck by Rodriguez’s car, police said.
Police Chief Mary Sclabassi said there had been “an altercation” between the two men prior to the incident, after which Rodriguez had driven away. He was located and taken into custody the next day, and arraigned via video conference May 9.
Rodriguez remained in custody and was denied bond during his arraignment. A preliminary examination of the evidence against him is scheduled for Monday.
Open murder is punishable by life in prison; reckless driving causing death is a felony punishable by a sentence of up to 15 years.
(James Mitchell can be reached at [email protected])