Detroit police have confirmed the arrest of two teenagers in the vicious beating of a suburban man who was attacked while attempting to help a young boy struck by his pickup truck, WDIV Channel 4 Detroit reports.
Steve Utash, the driver of the pickup truck who promptly exited his vehicle after the accident, remains in critical condition as Detroit police continue to follow leads in the brutal beating that took place Wednesday afternoon in Detroit’s notorious east side.
Investigators say the two unnamed teens were part of a larger group of about 10 people who assaulted Utash with a barrage of punches and kicks before robbing him as an apathetic crowd of 20 or so watched.
Sgt. Mike Woody, a Detroit police spokesman, said he believes the two suspects played a direct role in the beating, though no charges would be immediately filed against the 17-year-old and 16-year-old males while investigators continue their work, according to WDIV.
“We still have a long way to go,” Woody said. “I’ve been reminding people we’re still at the very beginning stage of this investigation.”
Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan has called the attack “senseless.”
The family of Utash, a 54-year-old tree trimmer from Clinton Township without medical insurance, say they have been immensely grateful for, and overwhelmed by the wide-spread support they have received; as of Monday nearly $110,000 has been raised online for their father’s medical bills.
UPDATE: According to The Detroit News, Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy has charged 17-year-old Bruce Edward Wimbush Jr. with assault with intent to murder and assault with intent to do great bodily harm, in connection with the beating of Steven Utash. He is to be arraigned at 2:30 p.m. Monday in the 36th District Court.