Driver charged in fatal hit-and-run of Wayne Co. sheriff's sergeant

A Detroit man was charged Saturday in connection to the hit-and-run that killed Wayne County Sheriff's Sgt. Lee Smith, prosecutors said. 

Desmond Robinson, 47, is charged by Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy with reckless driving causing death, failure to stop at an injury accident scene and tampering with evidence. 

The crash occurred at 10:10 a.m. on Tuesday while Smith was off-duty, jogging on Hines Drive and Middlebelt Road in Westland. Prosecutos said Robinson hit Smith while in his SUV and sped away from the scene. 

Smith, 55, was dragged for 50 or 60 yards. He succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. 

"By all accounts, Sgt. Smith was a dedicated, passionate, and skilled member of law enforcement who was going to retire soon," Worthy said in a statement. "In the blink of an eye, the alleged actions of this defendant destroyed the lives of his family, friends, fellow officers, and the many others he had yet to positively influence."

Robinson was arrested Thursday at 5 a.m. in Garden City after a tip came through Crime Stoppers, said Westland Police Chief Jeff Jedrusik. The arrest was made before Smith’s funeral, which had been a priority to investigators.

The public visitation for Smith will be from 3 p.m.-8 p.m. Wednesday at Swanson Funeral Home, 14751 W. McNichols Road in Detroit.

Services will follow Thursday at 11 a.m. at Greater Grace Temple, 23500 W. Seven Mile in Detroit. Smith, who was 55, will be buried at Detroit Memorial Park West Cemetery in Redford. 

Robinson was arraigned in 34th District Court in Romulus on Saturday and is being held without bond. His probable cause conference is Aug. 30 and his preliminary exam is Sept. 2.

srahal@detroitnews.com