Belleville man charged in hit-and-run accident that led to the death of a pedestrian

A 45-year-old man has been charged in the hit-and-run accident that led to a Belleville pedestrian’s death this week.

Donte A. Miller of Belleville was charged with one count of failing to report a traffic crash resulting in a death, a class one felony, according to Assistant Chief Mark Heffernan of the Belleville Police Department.

James Davis, 49, of Belleville, died after he was struck by a vehicle Monday in the 3800 block of North Belt West, Heffernan said.

The charging document from St. Clair County State’s Attorney James Gomric’s office said Miller knowingly failed to stop the vehicle he was driving after the accident.

Miller did not report the accident to the Belleville Police Department or another police agency within on-half hour of the accident, the charging document states.

Miller was charged Tuesday. He is being held in the St. Clair County Jail in lieu of $1 million bond.

Officers responded to the accident about 9:52 p.m. Monday.

Police located Davis on the side of the road, conscious but with what police described as significant injuries. He was taken to Belleville Memorial Hospital and was later transferred to a St. Louis hospital. Belleville police were informed at 12:39 a.m. Tuesday that he had died.

Based on officers’ investigation and canvass of the area for evidence, they were able to identify a suspect vehicle and alerted surrounding police agencies. Miller was arrested a short time later.

“The Belleville Police Department wishes to express sincere condolences to the Davis family during this difficult time,” Heffernan said.

This story was originally published August 31, 2023 at 1:08 PM.