DEARBORN, Mich. – The teenage driver who struck and badly injured a girl who was walking to school in Dearborn is going to learn how long he’ll spend in prison.
Crash details
The crash happened around 7:30 a.m. Dec. 20, 2024, in the area of Ford and Schaefer roads in Dearborn.
Police said a Fordson High School student was walking to school on the last day before Christmas break. She was ready to cross the street at a crosswalk with her sister when the light turned red for oncoming traffic.
The walk light was on, and the 15-year-old girl was struck by a black Jeep Cherokee the moment she stepped onto Ford Road, according to authorities.
Witnesses and police said the driver, later identified as Mahdi Bitar, ran the red light while heading west in the Cherokee.
The girl was taken to a nearby hospital in critical condition. She would end up spending months in the hospital.
19-year-old charged
Bitar, 19, was charged Jan. 10 with reckless driving causing serious impairment.
At the time, the 15-year-old girl was still in the hospital in critical condition.
When they announced charges, officials said Bitar’s Jeep had illegal window tint on the windshield that causes obscured vision.
Bond was set at $50,000.
Bitar is scheduled to be sentenced at 1 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025.
Fordson High School statement
The principal of Fordson High School released the following statement after the crash:
Greeting Fordson Community,
I know many in our community are already aware of the very unfortunate traffic incident that occurred this morning outside of Fordson. I would like to provide you with accurate information while at the same time respecting the privacy of our student and their family.
This morning, a 9th grade Fordson student was hit by a car at the corner of Ford Road and Schaefer while walking to school. Dearborn Police are investigating the details of this serious vehicle crash.
At this time, all we can share is that the student is in the hospital with serious injuries. As we continue to talk with the family we will pass along further details with their permission. We ask that everyone please direct all of your thoughts and prayers to the family during this very difficult time.
All of us at Fordson pride ourselves on creating a caring and supportive environment. When someone in our Fordson family is in need, we know that our amazing community will be there to support each other.
Chadi Farhat, principal of Fordson High School