An extremely close and dear friend was forced to watch as his brother was run down in cold blood Friday night.

John Bird was run down last night in front of both his wife's and his brother's eyes. John, his wife, and his brother were walking to their car after attending a Poison concert in Bay City, Michigan. John was leading the group, and walked out between two parked cars. A van was heading towards them. John's brother called out a warning , the van then accelerated and hit John with the front of the vehicle, and then hit him again with the side of the vehicle (side-swiping him). John's brother tried to warn him, but the van "gunned" the gas and John had no time to get out of the way. The van never stopped. John was determined to have experienced brain death at the scene, and will be removed from life support as soon as his remaining family arrives at the hospital.

The van struck John at the intersection of John and Catherine streets, one block south of the Midland Street entertainment district. Dispatchers sent officers to the scene at 11:47 p.m. Friday, June 22, 2007. Police said the van fled the scene west on John Street toward Wenona Avenue.

Officers believe the dark blue van, possibly a Chevrolet, may have front-end damage on the passenger side. The van is believed to be a G series Chevy – early 90's model. Again, the van is Blue. The fist 2 letters on the license plate are "WV."

Bay City police ask anyone with information about the incident to call investigators at (989) 892-8571.

Thank you.

More than likely the driver of the van will be apprehended. People of these types of crimes rarely get away with it. Hopefully it's sooner than later. My condolences to you, your friends, and John's family.

Although I can appreciate that you are upset about this matter I am not really sure that the forums and chat boards of a trivia website with members from all over the world is the correct place to post this.

My immediate reaction is to delete the thread but I will leave it for 24 hours before removing it.

I understand this thread will be deleted, and I understand the reasonings why.

Before it is, however, there is one clarification that I have to make.

Apparently, John and his wife had had an argument earlier, and she actually left the concert early. She is extremely distraught that she missed the last moments of his life, and that their last words were exchanged in anger.


And, thank you ClaraSue. Thank you.

My deepest condolences to you and to John's family.

Thank you, bionic4ever.

I hope that two things come of this.

First, I hope that people read about it, spread the word, and that the driver of the van is caught. There is no excuse for fleeing the scene.

Second, I hope that people read this and realize the consequence of not being careful in crowded areas. You may be frustrated trying to leave a concert (I have been many of times...it can take hours). You may assume that people will get out of your way. But, such assumptions and frustrations are nothing compared to the life of a human being.

John had just left a loud concert...anyone who has done the same knows your hearing is not completely up to par. When his brother called out the warning, John turned to look at the van...and was hit.

I have a feeling the driver of the van thought that John would hear the engine being gunned and move out of his way. But, John didn't have enough time.

I only hope people learn from this and such tragedies can be avoided in the future.

John was an organ donor...he will be removed from life support as soon as his organs are harvested. Even in death, John was a great man.

I feel so bad for your loss, but I do not know how you feel. I do not live in Michagan. so I cannot help you. Send my regards to all of the people affected.

As this thread is still here, I thought I would give you an update.

The suspect was arrested yesterday morning and arraigned this morning.

The suspect had told some of his friends about what had happened (the hit and run after the concert), and one of those friends turned him in to the police. The suspect admitted to hitting John, but not to gunning the engine. He also asserts that there was no other person in the vehicle with him. The suspect admitted that he had been drinking, but he cannot be charged for drinking and driving (as no evidence exists so late after the fact).

The suspect is being charged with Manslaughter, violating his probation, and other charges. The maximum sentence he can receive is 15 years in prison. His charges are not stackable.



I also want to thank all of you who have offered your condolences...they meant more than you know.

I am glad that he has been caught.

And that's what happens with a lot of crimes. People talk. And when they do, they get caught. I'm glad this guy was arrested.

Thank you, both.

I'm glad he was caught, too. I think everyone would have felt better had he turned himself in...but, at least, now, he is forced to know...forced to face/see the damage that he caused. And, now, because he has to face it, maybe he will never do it again. That is a hope, anyway. Hopefully that will bring some comfort to John's children as they grow up without their father.

That is a great ending to the horrible situation. It was very sad to hear about the loss of a close friend's brother, but at least the criminal was apprehended.

Am glad to see that the perpetrator is in custody, and hope that the family will be able to withstand the trial, as they have already had enough heartache. I hope the perpetrator also gets the maximum sentence.

Thank you, both.

At this time I'm not convinced there will be a trial...he may plea bargain. We will have to wait and see. But, whether there is a trial or a plea bargain, the family has a right to be present at sentencing.

I think it will be hard for everyone involved. It's just a very sad situation.

im very sorry to hear about that and im glad that he was caught. good for the friend who turned him in!!!!
please tell anyone disturbed or upset because of this that i am deeply sad for them and i wish there was a way i could help.

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