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Tow truck driver says off-duty police sergeant hit him then took off from scene

Posted at 6:50 PM, Mar 17, 2017
and last updated 2017-03-17 18:54:50-04

A tow truck driver says an off-duty police sergeant hit him, then took off.

It allegedly happened on Allen Road near Northland in Taylor.  The driver was blocking traffic so a tow truck could turn into a parking lot. 

“I made eye contact with this man. He stopped. The second I turned around to make sure my truck was cleared is when he hit me,” said John Kosmides. “I said, hey, you hit me. You need to stop. There is a Taylor police officer in this lot. Let’s go. He said F-you and took off.”

Taylor Police say several witnesses saw it happen.  John Kosmides was able to tell police who the man was. 

“He is the father of one of my ex-girlfriends from five years ago,” he said.

The accused hit and run driver should know the law and not to leave the scene. He works at the Melvindale Police Department.

Melvindale Police Chief John Allen says there is an internal investigation into what happened.  He is waiting for more information from the prosecutor’s office and the Taylor Police Department.

Taylor Police Chief Mary Sclabassi said witnesses believed he accidentally hit the tow truck driver. 

“He voluntarily came in to tell his side. He said he at first didn’t realize he hit anyone, said Sclabassi.

John Kosmides in the meantime is bruised up, off the job and undergoing physical therapy. He says he doesn't think there was any reason for a grudge.

“Five years is a long time. Things change. People change. I never treated his daughter badly,” said Kosmides.