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$5,000 reward offered in solving 2002 fatal hit and run

Posted at 1:55 PM, Jul 11, 2016
and last updated 2016-07-11 19:35:52-04

BERLIN TOWNSHIP, Mich. – The Ionia County Sheriff is renewing efforts in finding the person responsible for a hit-and-run fatality in 2002 with a $5,000 reward.

Investigators say that Gordon W. Cozat, 70, of Coleman, Michigan stopped on Jordan Lake Road just south of W. David Highway on June 16, 2002.  He got out of his vehicle to get directions from another vehicle that was directly in back of him.

While Cozat was standing at the driver’s side window, a northbound vehicle struck and killed him.  The vehicle was described as a GMC truck, Yukon or Chevrolet Suburban, years 1994-2000.  It was described as being “light” in color.  The last time the vehicle was seen, it was heading west towards Saranac on W. David Highway, at a high rate of speed. The vehicle would have sustained minimal damage to the right front, with a missing or broken right front light.

Investigators say that there have been very few leads, even since 2002. They hope that the $5,000 reward will jog some memories.  Anyone with information should call the Ionia County detectives at 616-527-5737 or Silent Observer at 616-527-0107.