Woman Charged In Oakland Co. Hit-And-Run Crash: Sheriff

PONTIAC, MI — A woman has been charged in connection with an Oakland County hit-and-run crash, the sheriff's office said Wednesday.

Officials said 49-year-old Jack Leverne Turnblom died after his motorcycle struck an SUV that sped through a red light in Pontiac in September.

Leeann Jean Darling, 36, of Pontiac, was charged with failure to stop at the scene of an accident when at fault resulting in death (15-year felony), operating a motor vehicle while license suspended, denied, or evoked causing death (15-year felony) and operating while license suspended, denied, or revoked causing serious injury (5-year felony).

She was placed in jail with a $750,000 bond.

Officials said the crash happened at 10:30 p.m. on Sept. 1 on Woodward Avenue at Perry Street in Pontiac. Officials said Turnblom was riding a 2009 Harley Davidson FLHX north on Woodward with his 44-year-old passenger. As he passed through the intersection, he struck a 2010 GMC Terrain that sped through a red light on Perry Street, officials said.

The motorcycle hit the passenger side of the SUV, which was being driven by Darling, officials said.

After the crash, officials said Darling got out of her vehicle and ran away from the scene.

Turnblom was taken to a nearby hospital where he died later that night, officials said.

His passenger was also injured in the crash and has since been released from the hospital, officials said.

Neither of the motorcycle riders were wearing helmets, officials said.

Officials said Darling turned herself into police on Oct. 1. At the time of her surrender, Darling had an outstanding felony probation violation warrant out of Macomb County for operating while intoxicated (third offense), officials said.