A prominent Detroit-area pastor was struck and killed by an illegal Colombian immigrant while out for a run on the morning of November 3rd.
Pastor Stephen Singleton's family wrote on the 72-year-old pastor's GoFundMe page that he was “going out for his usual run” wearing a reflective vest when he crossed the street at a crosswalk and “was struck by a man running toward us.” I was run over,'' he said. Through the red light. ”
“This man was not in the country legally and did not have a driver's license,” Singleton's family wrote. ”[Singleton] The impact was so strong that he was thrown onto the windshield, causing it to shatter. The car was damaged and had to be towed. He spoke the last words he would ever say. he asked my grandmother. Almost all of his bones were broken. He suffered organ and brain damage and required extensive surgery. Doctors put him on life support. On November 8, 2024, he was declared brain dead and removed from support. ”
The Oakland County Sheriff's Office said in a press release on Nov. 3 that a 28-year-old Columbia man driving a 2013 Ford Focus struck a 72-year-old man while crossing Rochester Road in suburban Rochester Hills. He admitted that he suspected that he had lied. of Detroit. Authorities also confirmed that Singleton was wearing a reflective vest and was crossing at a designated crosswalk at the time of his death.
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Detroit-area pastor Stephen Singleton was struck and killed by a car on Nov. 3. Authorities say the driver was an illegal immigrant from Colombia. (FOX 2 Detroit)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection determined the driver had entered the United States illegally and was released pending further hearing.
The driver had a valid foreign driver's license, which is a valid ID in Michigan, according to the report. FOX2 Detroit.
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Terry Singleton, Stephen's wife, said: “I had to sit and watch my husband of 53 years die in front of my eyes and then know that the person who did that is still walking around.'' That was a very difficult thing to deal with,” he told FOX 2 Detroit.
Singleton's family described the pastor as a loving family man with a passion for helping others and staying active. He has 15 brothers and sisters and was married to the “love of his life” for 53 years, his family wrote on GoFundMe.
Pastor Stephen Singleton's family described him as a loving family man with a passion for helping others and staying active. He has 15 brothers and sisters and was married to the “love of his life” for 53 years, his family wrote on GoFundMe. (FOX 2 Detroit)
“He never met a stranger and was a friend to everyone, forming lifelong friendships,” they wrote. “His motto was that everyone was his brother or sister and it was his responsibility to share support, wisdom and the love of the Lord. He was also the father of his nieces and nephews, and all the children in all the areas he frequented. Our family activities and outings included every child that could fit in the van. ”
He ran “hundreds” of marathons throughout his life, cycled 200 miles every year for charity, and taught and played a variety of other sports.
“His true passion was pure love for his fellow man.”
“His true passion was pure love for his fellow man,” the GoFundMe page says. “Besides his family, one of his greatest joys was helping others. He touched many lives and gave generously to all. For the past 52 years, he has served as president of the Archdiocese of Detroit. As a pastoral pastor, he officiated at hundreds of funerals. Despite being unable to pay for his services and receive dignified services, his determination to make a difference led him to regularly feed the homeless and clothe those in need. .If disaster strikes, he will be there to help.”
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The Reverend Stephen Singleton was riding in a crosswalk between Rochester Road and Avon Road when he was struck. (Google Maps)
Singleton's family said he dedicated much of his life to helping others. One of his most important volunteer trips was with a search and rescue team after the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.
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According to GoFundMe, the pastor's family is asking for donations to help cover Singleton's funeral costs and the living expenses of his partially disabled wife, who relies on Singleton for “daily care.”
No arrests had been made in the case as of Monday. Authorities turned the case over to the Oakland County Prosecutor's Office on Friday, which is reviewing the case and will decide whether any charges will be filed against the driver.
