Vehicle found in connection with hit and run incident northeast of Colon

A citizen’s tip helped state police troopers and their investigation into a hit-and-run incident occurring earlier this week in Branch County’s Sherwood Township.

Troopers said the tip led them Tuesday to a residence on Hackman Road in Burr Oak Township, where they discovered the vehicle believed to have been involved in the incident.

The 2005 Chevy Equinox was impounded for further investigation. The driver, identified as a 42-year-old Sturgis man, is cooperating with authorities. In addition, the driver’s cell phone will be examined to determine if its potential use was a factor in the incident.

Also, a blood sample was collected by authorities and will be sent to state police crime lab in Lansing for further analysis.

The investigation centers on a Monday afternoon incident on Ralston Road, just south of Arney Road, where the suspect vehicle was traveling north on Ralston Road, left the pavement and struck two siblings riding their bicycles. A third person standing nearby was also struck, investigators said.

The three siblings, ranging in age from 7 to 14 years, required medical treatment. A 14-year-old boy was airlifted to Kalamazoo and remains in critical condition. A 7-year-old boy was treated in Coldwater and a 14-year-old girl also was in need of medical attention.