SHERIFF NEWS RELEASE – #25013786 UPDATE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
UPDATE:
The owner of the truck shown in the video that officers were attempting to identify saw the newscast and contacted the Sheriff’s Office. Detectives responded to his residence and confirmed that the individual had driven through the area at the time shown in the surveillance footage. Both the driver and his passenger stated they did pass through the area during that time and observed a man sitting alongside the roadway who did not appear injured. Detectives found no damage to the vehicle or other evidence indicating it was involved in striking the man. The investigation remains ongoing.
Incident Number:
25013786
Nature of Incident:
Vehicle vs Pedestrian / Hit and Run (Fatal)
Decedent:
ANTHONY MICHAEL VANHEES, 34 year old male from Bangor Township
Date & Time:
12/17/2025 at approximately 2300 Hours
Venue:
66000 block of 48th Avenue, Bangor Township, Van Buren County
Information:
Sheriff Daniel E. Abbott reports that on 12/17/2025, at 2319 Hours, Deputies were dispatched to the 66000 block of 48th Avenue, in Bangor Township, on the report of an unresponsive male having been found in the roadway. Lifesaving measures were performed, but sadly, the victim passed away on-scene due to the severity of his injuries, believed to have been sustained as the result of having been struck by a vehicle. A residential camera system, located in the vicinity of the scene, captures the victim walking eastbound, past the house, just a few minutes prior to a light colored pickup truck observed traveling westbound.
The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office is requesting the public’s assistance with any information that may assist with this investigation.
