Crime & Safety

'Night of Healing' Planned Thursday for Motorist Who Was Viciously Attacked – and for Detroit

Steve Utash remains in a medically induced coma, but is healing. A candlelight vigil is planned for Thursday both for his continued recovery and Detroit's from a vicious attack that has ripped the city's soul.

Steve Utash, the Clinton Township man who was severely beaten by a mob a week ago, remains in a in a medically induced coma at a Detroit hospital, but is healing, family members said.

Utash’s son, Joe Utash, 24, told the Detroit Free Press that his father, 54, is healing, but could be in the hospital for six months.

Joe Utash told the newspaper that it looked as if someone had taken a hammer to his father’s head. “There are lumps all over his head, everywhere you look.”

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Steve Utash was beaten unconscious when he was mobbed by a large group of people after he stopped to give aid to a child he accidentally hit on his way home from work as a tree trimmer. The 10-year-old boy who ran into traffic has recovered.

Prayers for Utash’s continued healing – as well as for the healing Detroit, which has been ripped apart in the week since the beating – will be offered at a candlelight vigil at 7 p.m. Thursday at Little Rock Baptist Church, 9000 Woodward Ave.

Find out what's happening in Clinton Townshipwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Besides Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, Utash’s three children, and area ministers who have called for “a night of healing,” those speaking are expected to include Deborah Hughes, the retired nurse who gave aid to Utash after the beating and encouraged the mob to disburse.

The ministers are part of a coalition of religious leaders representing the Catholic, Jewish, Protestant and Baptist faiths who are united in making “a strong appeal to the community to maintain a spirit of peace and calm as the summer months approach,” according to a news release on the event.

“If you are unable to join us, please light a candle with your loved ones and pray for our dad’s complete recovery,” Utash’s daughter, Mandi Emerick wrote on the online site where money is being raised to help defray the family’s medical expenses “Thank you all again for your thoughts, prayers and support.”

Donations are still coming in at a rapid pace, with nearly $150,000 – three times the original goal – pledged so far on the family’s Go Fund Me site.

The family is grateful for the donations, Joe Utash said, but much more will be needed to cover their father’s medical bills. His care costs about $20,000 a day and he had no medical insurance.

A fifth person – a 19-year-old man – has been arrested in the attack on Utash. Three people have been charged and the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office is still weighing whether to charge a 16-year-old in custody as an adult.

Those already charged include James Deontae Davis, 24, Wonzey Saffold, 30, and Bruce Wimbush Jr., 17, who were arraigned in Detroit's 36th District Court on Tuesday on charges of assault with intent to murder and assault with intent to do great bodily harm.

They are due back in court April 21.

Police have not released the name of the suspect who was arrested Wednesday.


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