DETROIT – In March 2020, 27-year-old Steven Radcliff was killed by a hit-and-run driver in Detroit.
More than five years later, that driver still has not been found, and the victim’s family hopes someone will finally come forward.
“He took a son, he took her uncle,” Beverly Winfrey, Radcliff’s mother, said during a press conference on Wednesday (Dec. 3) afternoon. “He was the heart of our family.”
Radcliff was killed as he crossed the street at Dequindre Street and East Robinwood Street in Detroit during the overnight hours of March 17, 2020 – one month before what would have been his 28th birthday.
“For some reason, he got up to go get some cigarettes,” Winfrey said. “And it was just horrific, because I can literally stand on my porch and see where my son was killed.”
According to Detroit police, Radcliff was hit by a white 2011 or 2012 Ford Escape.
More than five years have passed with few leads and no arrests.
“They did get the green light of the vehicle, but we haven’t been able to get any leads,” Winfrey said. “Somebody knows something. Either somebody was in the car with you, or you have a conscience. You know that you hit somebody.”
“Just have a conscience,” Shanita Rice, Steven’s older sister, said. “Have a heart. You hit a person. You didn’t hit a speed bump; you hit a person.”
“He was a good uncle, he was a good brother, and it’s no reason why he lost his life at 27 years old,” Rice added. “He barely even got to live life. That’s still very young.”
Steven’s death left a huge hole in their family. His daughter, who is now six, was two months away from her first birthday.
For Beverly, it’s doubly painful as it brings up older wounds.
“I lost my father to a hit and run driver when I was 12 years old in 1975 on Visger and Fort Street [in Detroit],” Winfrey said. “My father was hit and killed by a drunk driver.”
“I’m no stranger to death,” Winfrey added. “I lost my dad when I was 12. I lost my mom when I was 26, so all I had were my children.”
Winfrey said she is still putting up posters, hoping someone will come forward with either information or to confess.
And she says she will not stop fighting for Steven, even as the years keep passing.
“The God in me says that I have to forgive you, but I still want some justice,” Winfrey said. “I still want to know what actually happened with my son.”
“Death is no stranger, and I know I’ll see him again,” Winfrey added. “But in the here and now, I want justice for my son.”
The family is asking anyone with information to either contact the Detroit Police Department or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-Speak Up.
All tips to Crime Stoppers are anonymous. Click here to submit a tip online.