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UPDATE: Officials release names in hit and run

A 51-year-old man found dead Tuesday morning in a ditch on the north side of County Highway S, west of Sobieski, was the victim of a Monday night hit-and-run crash, according to an Oconto County Sheriff's Office press release.
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TOWN OF LITTLE SUAMICO --  A 51-year-old man found dead Tuesday morning in a ditch on the north side of County Highway S, west of Sobieski, was the victim of a Monday night hit-and-run crash, according to an Oconto County Sheriff's Office press release.

George Birr, 51, was living with relation in the Sobieski area, the sheriff's office said.

The sheriff's office received an anonymous phone call Wednesday morning that stated Joe Anderson, 35 of Pulaski, was looking for parts for his white GMC Safari pickup truck -- a fender, mirror, hood and blinker -- because he had hit a deer the prior evening, according to the press release.

Deputies contacted Anderson at his residence and took him into custody, the sheriff's office said. Anderson's pick-up was also taken as evidence with damage that is consistent with evidence recovered at the scene.

Anderson faces charges of hit and run causing death and negligent homicide with a motor vehicle, according to the sheriff's office. Anderson will make a court appearance next week.

Tonight, those who knew the victim say he was a quiet man, who walked, or rode his bike everywhere he went.

 

"I even own a grey pick-up," says John Jurecki, referring to the fact that his truck--like many others in the area--matched the suspect vehicle's description, "and they came and visited me last night, and checked my truck out." 

 
Jurecki, who grew up in the area, says he was one of several people interviewed by deputies last night.
 
"And I said, 'you're doing your job, thank you,'" adds Jurecki, adding the investigators apologized for having to disturb him while following up on "several leads" in the area.
 
Jurecki also says he's known Birr, since childhood.
 
"He grew up on a farm about a mile and a half east of our place," says Jurecki. "They farmed, we farmed. [We] rode the same school bus."
 
Jurecki says he and Birr drifted apart over time, describing Birr as someone who liked to be alone.
 
He says he isn't surprised Birr's absence wasn't immediately reported.
 
"It's unfortunate that people don't watch out for those kinds of individuals," says Jurecki.
 
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Oconto County Sheriff's officials have located the vehicle involved in the hit and run crash Monday night. 

One person is also in custody. 

Officials say the vehicle and subject were found very early this morning. 

The incident is still under investigation and the name of the individual is not being released. 

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A man was found dead Tuesday morning in a ditch on the north side of County Highway S, west of Sobieski, Oconto County Sheriff Michael Jansen said.

It appears the man is a victim of a hit-and-run crash, said Jansen, who added the crash likely occurred between 6 and 10 p.m. Monday.

Officials are looking for a 2002-2006 light colored GMC 2500 Sierra pickup, Suburban or Yukon with damage to the front passenger side headlight and missing its passenger side mirror, he said.

Investigators have not confirmed the victim's name.
 
But neighbors who claim to know him say he didn't live too far from the scene of the hit and run. 
 
Tonight, investigators are going door to door in Sobieski, telling people to look for the suspect vehicle, while searching for any clues.
 
"They figure it was a pickup truck, with the mirror," says Ed Borzych, who lives near the scene, "they found part of a mirror."
 
Meanwhile, at the Old Crow Bar--just a few hundred feet from the scene--regulars, like Borzych, are left with questions of their own.
 
"You hit somebody, you don't leave the scene," says Borzych.
 
Other people we spoke with, who claim to know the victim, but declined to go on camera, say they would often see the victim riding his bicycle around town, along the side of the road--even at night.
 
It's unclear at this time whether the victim died from his injuries, or from exposure to the elements.
 
"He laid there all night," says Borzych. "He could've froze to death. I don't know--it was cold out."

If anyone has information about this crash, call the Oconto County Sheriff's Office at 920-834-6900.

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