Cops credit Facebook tipster for helping apprehend hit-and-run driver who struck 3-year-old girl

Baltimore County Police have identified the man who struck a three-year-old child on Right Wing Drive in Middle River on August 5 as 46-year-old Michael William Houston Burns whose address was listed as being in the unit block of Walkway Court in Middle River, Maryland. Burns was located and arrested around 9 p.m. on August 5 in the 200 block of Glider Drive in Middle River, just a half mile from the scene of the hit-and-run crash after an astute resident called 9-1-1 to report seeing the suspect vehicle depicted on the Baltimore County Facebook page shortly after the crash occurred.

Burns was charged with associated hit-and-run crash charges as well as driving on a suspended license. He is currently being held at the Baltimore County Detention Center on no bail status pending a bail review hearing.

Baltimore County Police extended a special thank you to Ms. Stephanie, who called 9-1-1 after spotting the suspect vehicle.

#BCoPD identifies driver of white Hyundai Elantra that struck a 3-yr-old in Middle River last night & left the scene as Michael W Burns.

Special thanks to Ms Stephanie for calling 911 when she spotted the suspect veh! #RightWingDrHitnRun  ~ per Official Baltimore County Police & Fire / Facebook

Original release from Baltimore County Police on August 4:

Image of suspect vehicle taken from residential security camera

Baltimore County Police are looking for this vehicle, a white 4-door Hyundai Elantra with a sunroof and luggage rack, with a partial Maryland registration plate of “3GA…” that was involved in a hit-and-run crash in Middle River around 6:10 p.m. this evening.

The Hyundai, driven by a white male approximately 30-something years of age, struck a 3-year-old girl when she ran out from between parked cars in the unit block of Right Wing Drive in Middle River, causing serious injuries to the child. She was transported to an area hospital with a suspected broken leg but is expected to survive.

Witnesses told police the driver initially stopped, stated that he did not see the little girl and didn’t mean to hit her, then quickly fled the scene. Anyone who sees this vehicle is asked to call 9-1-1 immediately.

Source:  Baltimore County Police

~ Posted by: Richard Webster, Ace News Today   /   Connect with Richard on Facebook and Twitter