Coleen Hulling, 29, and Melissa Williamson, 25, were on an afternoon bike ride in London Township in Monroe County on Friday, June 26, when a driver swerved and killed the two women. GoFundMe campaigns have been set up to aid both Hulling's and Williamson's families with funeral costs that now have raised over $30,000.
"As many of you have heard, Friday, June 26th was a tragic day for my family. My cousin, Melissa Williamson, and her girlfriend, Coleen Huling, were killed by a reckless driver while riding their bikes. These incredible women were taken from this earth far too soon and they will be missed by so many," wrote Kennedy Haight, the organizer of Williamson's GoFundMe campaign. "… My goal is to ease the financial burden on Melissa's family. Many of us know the costs that go into a service, and I feel that the Williamson's should not have to worry about finances during this impossible time."
On June 27, Michigan State Police reported that a 21-year-old male was apprehended as a suspect in the crime and will be facing charges.
released at this time. The suspect/driver in this incident has been arrested on unrelated warrants and is currently lodged at Monroe County Jail. The driver is a 21 year old male from Willis, MI and will being facing charges on this incident. MSP needs your help in locating
— MSP First District (@MSPFirstDist) June 27, 2020
When asked about the possibility of the hit-and-run being a hate crime, Lt. Mike Sura, who is working on the case, said that police are not ruling anything out.
"At this point, I would say we're looking at everything in the case. I would not want to speak prematurely and say, 'No, this wasn't a factor or this was a factor.' The detectives are following up on all the leads that we have and all the information to put together the best case." Sura said.
Currently, police are searching for the vehicle, which they believe to be somewhere in Monroe or Washtenaw Counties, a flat black 2000 Mercury Mountaineer.
the vehicle used in the incident. The vehicle is believed to be somewhere in the Monroe or Washtenaw County areas. The vehicle is a 2000 Mercury Mountaineer, flat black in color. The picture below is the suspect vehcile from an unrelated previous incident earlier in the week.
— MSP First District (@MSPFirstDist) June 27, 2020
An image of the suspected vehicle. Police ask anyone with information about its whereabouts to contact the MSP Brighton Post at 810-227-1051 or 911.
A service will be held today for both women at Ochalek-Stark Funeral Service.
This is a developing story.
To donate to either GoFundMe visit these links: Melissa Williamson, Coleen Hulling.
