Police Still Searching for Missing SUV in Multi-Fatality Crash

Police are still searching for a SUV that may have been involved in a deadly crash on Woodward Avenue last weekend.

During that crash, a 28-year-old Pontiac woman, Lashawnda Mott, and her 5-year-old son De-Nalli Scott and struck a traffic signal pole, folding their Chevrolet Tahoe in half.

Mott's other son, 2-year-old Santino Pauls, was transported to Beaumont Hospital with non-life threatening injuries and then later released to relatives.

Police, however, are looking for a second vehicle witnesses say was also at the scene at the time of the crash. Described by several witnesses as a dark-colored SUV (possibly a Cadillac Escalade) with chrome wheels and dark-tinted windows, Cmdr. Terry Kiernan said they believe the SUV was traveling north on Woodward alongside Mott's Tahoe. Witnesses said both vehicles were driving fast.

According to a report in the Oakland Press, witnesses told police they thought the two vehicles had side-to-side contact, at which point Mott's vehicle went over a curb and struck the pole.

Still, Kiernan said police are unsure what they're dealing with and are working alongside the Oakland County Sheriff Department's Accident Investigation Unit. Police are also examining security cameras in the area, though the angle of the cameras make it difficult to see the second vehicle.

According to an interview with WXYZ, Mott's godbrother Sammie Jones Jr. said Mott was driving home Friday night to her apartment located near the border of Pontiac and Auburn Hills. According to Jones, Mott was putting herself through college to become an accountant.

Lindsey Block told WXYZ she was driving by the Saturday night and passed the scene of the crash soon after it occured.

"I saw the car, and I just got this sick feeling in the pit of my stomach," she said. "I just glanced over, and the first thing I saw were tires at head level. I think it was on its side, with the undercarriage facing me and folded in half."

Birmingham Police say the missing vehicle should have some damage to its passenger side or the right rear side. Anyone with information should call 248-530-1865.