x
Breaking News
More () »

Police Locate Vehicle Suspected in Deadly Hit-and-Run

PLAINS TOWNSHIP – Authorities in Luzerne County said that a person of interest has been identified in a deadly hit-and-run in Wilkes-Barre last month. Plains To...

PLAINS TOWNSHIP – Authorities in Luzerne County said that a person of interest has been identified in a deadly hit-and-run in Wilkes-Barre last month.

Plains Township Police and Wilkes-Barre detectives closely examined a red Pontiac Grand Am with front-end damage that was found in a driveway along Mack Street in Plains Township on Friday afternoon.

Friday night, investigators had the vehicle towed to Wilkes-Barre Police Headquarters.

Investigators have identified Thomas Letteer, Junior of Plains Township as a person of interest in the case.

"I fully believe we have the person who caused this accident and was involved in this hit and run, killing little Kevin Miller," said Luzerne County District Attorney Stefanie Salavantis.

Officers throughout the Wyoming Valley have spent the past two weeks fielding hundreds of tips and searching for driver that hit and killed a boy from Dallas before Christmas.

Wilkes-Barre Police said a red sedan struck Kevin Miller, five, as he crossed West North Street with his family after a Christmas party on December 21.

Investigators released surveillance pictures of the sedan speeding away the scene and described the car in question as a red Pontiac sedan with a sunroof and no rear spoiler.

The vehicle was hauled away on a flatbed truck around 7 p.m.

Salavantis said investigators plan on having the Pontiac found in Plains Township analyzed by the State Police Forensics Unit for possible DNA or other evidence.

People said they were surprised to find investigators in their neighborhood.

"I come by this area all the time in the morning, and now that I look I see the headlights fixed, and if it is the guy that did it, I hope it is, you know I don't hope it's the guy but I hope they put an end to this soon and find the person that has done this and I don't know how someone could live with themselves," said Rich Storm of Plains Township.

"The car has been here, it belongs to the neighbors and they are very nice people," said a neighbor who did not want his name revealed.

Letteer is not under arrest and has not been charged, but investigators said he is expected to be.

Kevin Miller's uncle emailed a statement to Newswatch 16, which said the Miller family is thankful for investigators' dedication to the case. 

"We are extremely thankful for the extensive and relentless search our local law enforcement personnel has performed. May this search prove fruitful and provide our family , our law enforcement agency and the community with some peace," said John Miller. "Although this evidence will not bring Kevin back to us , it will aid us all in the healing process."

Before You Leave, Check This Out