TROY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — The Troy Police Department reports the arrest of Zaequan J. Morrison, 23—previously from Troy and currently living in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania—for the hit and run that killed Eric Jones in April.
Police allege that Morrison drove the car that killed Jones, and then afterward fled the scene in that car, which they say was stolen. Patrol officers say they spotted Morrison in the passenger seat of a vehicle in Troy. They arrested him without incident after a traffic stop.
Michelle Jones woke up Friday morning to a phone call from Troy police, telling her they made an arrest in connection to her son’s death. It was a phone call she has been waiting for for nearly two months, that’s how long it has been since Michelle lost her son to a car accident. “People need to be aware of their surroundings on what they’re doing while on the road,” says Michelle.
Eric was walking home from work that night of the accident. Michelle describes her son as a quiet person who had a big heart. “He’s always willing to help somebody out if they needed it,” she adds.
“There is no indiction at this point to determine any intent of striking Mr. Jones. In relation to that incident, he was charged with leaving the scene of a personal injury auto crash — there was an intent of stealing the vehicle,” says Troy Police Captain Steven Barker.
Troy detectives worked with the Colonie Police Department to pursue multiple leads, relying on partnerships with other local, state, and federal agencies to patrol. Detectives first identified and located the suspect vehicle, identifying Morrison later. After identifying Morrison as a suspect, officers were assigned to areas he was known to frequent.
The Rensselaer County District Attorney’s Office is set to prosecute the case. Morrison’s charges include:
- Leaving the scene of a personal injury auto accident
- Fourth-degree grand larceny
Michelle was happy police were able to make an arrest, but she says a piece of her heart will forever be missing. She doesn’t want any other parent to experience the same nightmare. “I just want to put this out there because it’s the Fourth of July weekend coming up, so nobody else has to go through what we had to go through. Be aware of your surroundings.” Michelle also wants people to drive safe and not be distracted.
