Warren woman arraigned on charge related to death of woman on I-696

Mount Clemens, MI - Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido announced Meghan Hamilton, a 36-year-old Warren woman, was arraigned on a charge of Failure to Stop at the Scene of an Accident Resulting in Serious Impairment or Death.

It is alleged that after midnight on Sunday, August 10, 2025, Hamilton was driving on eastbound I-696 near Hoover and struck Nateria Smith, a 28-year-old woman from Madison Heights, as Smith was attempting to add gasoline to her vehicle which was parked on the shoulder of the expressway. It is alleged that Hamilton did not stop. Smith was transported to Ascension Macomb Oakland Hospital Warren Campus where she was pronounced deceased. Witnesses described the vehicle that struck Smith. Warren Police located a vehicle with damage that matched the debris left at the accident site and witness description. The vehicle was parked at Hamilton’s home. 

On Wednesday, August 13, 2025, Hamilton was arraigned in the 37th District Court in Warren, MI before Judge Suzanne Faunce the following charge:

• Failure to Stop at the Scene of an Accident Resulting in Serious Impairment or Death, a 5-year felony.

These is the maximum charge available under the law based upon the evidence presented to date.

Judge Faunce set a $50,000 cash/surety bond. If Hamilton is released, she must wear a GPS tether, consume no drugs or alcohol, and submit to random testing.

A Probable Cause Conference is scheduled for Thursday, August 21, 2025 at 8:45 am and a Preliminary Exam is scheduled for Thursday, August 28, 2025 at 8:45 am, both before Judge Steven Bieda.

"Remaining at the scene of a collision is not only required by law, but also a fundamental responsibility that ensures help can arrive quickly and that the facts can be fully understood. At this stage, the defendant has been charged, and the case will proceed through the court process,” said Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido. 

The Macomb County Prosecutor's Office represents the People. We are committed to achieving justice and following the laws of the State of Michigan. All that are accused of a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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