Dennis Rodeman killed in 'deliberate' hit-and-run crash by Grant Jacob Taylor

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Grant Jacob Taylor, 22, accused of killing fireman Dennis Rodeman
Mr Rodeman, seven-year veteran of the Lansing Fire Department, was killed yesterday while taking part in 'Fill The Boot' fundraising campaign
Police say Rodeman and a 22-year-old driver exchanged words before the firefighter was mowed down by a pickup truck
Witnesses said the driver of the pickup deliberately circled back and plowed into Rodeman as he was collecting money
Suspect was arrested after a foot chase; he is facing charges of murder and felony fleeing and eluding
Rodeman had been a US Marine who served a tour of duty in Fallujah, Iraq; he and his wife of two months, Katherine, were expecting their first child

By Snejana Farberov and Chris Pleasance For Dailymail.com

Published: 23:23 EST, 9 September 2015 | Updated: 18:19 EST, 10 September 2015

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Grant Jacob Taylor, 22, from Lansing, Michigan, has been charged with deliberately running over and killing fireman Dennis Rodeman yesterday

Police have revealed the identity of the man they believe deliberately hit and killed a father-to-be firefighter and war veteran yesterday before driving away.

Grant Jacob Taylor, 22, from Lansing, Michigan, has been charged with failing to stop at the scene of death after cops say he ran down newlywed Dennis Rodeman as he collected money for charity.

Investigators say Mr Rodeman was standing in the road collecting donations when he had an altercation with Taylor, who then swung his pickup truck around before running him down.

Mr Rodeman, who had worked at the fire department for seven years, survived the initial impact and was taken to hospital, but died from his injuries late yesterday evening.

Before becoming a fireman, he served with the US Marines, competing a tour of Fallujah, Iraq.

Cops said Rodeman was hit at 3.40pm while taking part in the annual 'Fill The Boot' fundraiser for the Muscular Dystrophy Association and the International Association of Fire Fighters.

Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero said: 'This is a shocking and unthinkable tragedy. Dennis was cut down in an instant, doing what he loved, what he believed in, what he believed in most: helping others.'

Taylor was arrested shortly after the collision, but not before leading police on a car chase.

He is now charged with failing to stop at the scene of a personal injury accident causing death and two counts of third degree fleeing and eluding.

He was arraigned this afternoon by Magistrate Laura Millmore, who denied him a bond due to the seriousness of the charges.

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Hero slain: Michigan firefighter Dennis Rodeman, pictured left in his US Marines dress blues and right in his fireman's uniform, was struck and killed in Lansing while raising money for charity yesterday

Overcome with grief: A firefighter puts his head in his hands as he and other firefighters sit on the curb on Cedar Street just north of Jolly Road where their colleague Dennis Rodeman was struck and killed by a pickup

Charity work: Rodeman, a seven-year veteran of the Lansing Fire Department, was taking part in the annual 'Fill The Boot' fundraising campaign when he became the victim of a 'deliberate' hit-and-run

He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on September 23 in District Court. He said he would hire his own lawyer, but was assigned one for the time being due to the severity of his case.

Earlier, Lansing Police Capt Jim Kraus said Rodeman and the driver of the pickup had exchanged some words before the firefighter was struck.

'The suspect came by, was upset for whatever reason (and) circled back around' before striking the firefighter, Kraus said. 'The preliminary investigation is that he deliberately hit the firefighter who was standing in the road collecting for the charity.’

Fellow firefighter James Jenks described a grisly scene in the immediate aftermath of the collision.

'He [Rodeman] was just lying there. No movement at all, blood,' he recalled to Fox2Detroit.

Rodeman was married two months ago, and he and wife Katherine were expecting their first child together, Fire Chief Randy Talifarro said.

Act of evil: Police said 22-year-old Taylor purposefully plowed into Rodeman after the two had exchanged some words

United: Firefighters hug inside Station 1 before a press conference Wednesday announcing Rodeman's death

Terrible news: Lansing Police Chief Mike Yankowski speaks during Wednesday's press conference devoted to the killing of Dennis Rodeman

The victim was wearing a reflective vest and other gear and was standing in the center turning lane on Jolly Road in Lansing.

Tionna Davis told The Lansing State Journal she was driving in the area and saw the Chevy S-10 pickup swerve from one lane to another before Rodeman was struck.

'He literally tried to hit him,' she said.

The truck fled the scene, authorities said. The driver eventually pulled over and fled on foot, but police officers were able to catch up with him and take him into custody after a brief struggle.

Prosecutors could file charges later today. The suspect was being held on suspicion of murder and felony fleeing and eluding.

Talifarro called Rodeman's death 'a tremendous loss.'

He described the fireman as a highly regarded colleague with an 'unblemished' work record.

'He was a joy to work around,' Talifarro said.

Warrior: Rodeman survived a tour of duty in Fallujah, Iraq, only to be killed in his hometown of Lansing

New chapter: Dennis and Katherine, seen on their wedding day, said 'I do' only two months ago

Mayor Bernero called Rodeman’s death 'a senseless, unthinkable tragedy that has left all of us in a state of shock.'

He also dubbed the fallen firefighter and veteran a 'hero twice over.'

'He served his country with great pride, bravery and ability, having survived a tour of duty in Fallujah, Iraq, one of the most dangerous places in the world,' Bernero said.

'It is beyond comprehension that this American hero lost his life on the streets of Lansing while collecting charitable contributions for children afflicted by muscular dystrophy.'

In keeping with his character, Rodeman's final Facebook message, posted just hours before his death Wednesday, was a graphic honoring fallen Vietnam War veterans.

A GoFundMe campaign has been launched by the Lansing Fire Department to raise funds for Rodeman's pregnant widow.

The couple were expecting their first child together. Now, Mrs Rodeman will be raising their baby without a dad

Well-liked: Fire Chief Randy Talifarro descbied Rodeman (right) as a highly regarded colleague with an 'unblemished' work record who was a joy to be around