De'Shon D. Wright and Gary E. Dotson, R.I.P.

Dana DeFever of The Flint Journal reports:

"Only a mile and a day separated two bizarre hit-and-run crashes in Flint this weekend that have left families mourning and neighbors cautious of the streets.

"'One minute I'm flying high and the next I'm shot down,' said Uluis Wright of Flint Township, father of De'Shon D. Wright, 17, who was struck by a vehicle early Saturday morning on West Bishop Avenue near King Avenue.

"The next morning and about a mile away, police were called to the intersection of Gillespie Avenue and Buick Street. There Gary E. Dotson, 48, died after reportedly being robbed and then hit, dragged and run over by a pickup truck.

"In both cases, homicide detectives are investigating whether the vehicles were purposely used as lethal weapons.

"'Crime is a sporadic occurrence that can never be predicted. I'm not surprised by anything anymore,' said Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton.

"Leyton said cases where motor vehicles are involved are difficult to investigate and time consuming. Charges for the drivers, he said can range from second-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter, negligent homicide or leaving the scene of crash causing death, which is a five year felony.

"Uluis Wright said his son was walking from his girlfriend's house to his cousin's house on Dupont Street when he was hit. Uluis said he was told his son was walking on the sidewalk when the vehicle "went over and run him through a fence."

"Uluis Wright said his son was a good kid, who liked to listen to music, dance and play computer games. Together they sometimes would ride bikes and swim. De'Shon Wright attended Flint Southwestern Academy.

"'Everything we did together, we liked,' he said."

For a map of Flint homicides, go to the Flint Murder Map. Please note that because the Flint Police have not classified these deaths as homicides, they will be listed as "Possible Murders" on the map.