GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — The mother of Riley Doggett, the teen who died two years ago this week after a police chase, was in court Wednesday as her son’s friend, the getaway driver, was sentenced to prison.
She begged for leniency for Anderson Hughes, but also questioned again why the Kent County deputy who struck her son wasn’t charged.
Mom of teen hit by cruiser objects to case against friend
“I do not believe Anderson is responsible for my son’s death,” Becky Wilbert told the Kent County Circuit Court judge before sentencing. “That is something I carry heavily, especially knowing the officer who struck my son was not charged. That decision has left me with pain and unanswered questions.”
Doggett and Hughes were friends out on a crime spree in April 2024 in a stolen Range Rover. They were 17.
A police chase ended in the city of Wyoming. Hughes took off running left; Doggett veered off right.
Online: Dashcam video of Riley Doggett chase
That’s when a Kent County sheriff’s patrol car clipped Doggett, knocking him down. He died a month later — two years ago this week.
“Riley was more than what happened that day,” Wilbert told the judge. “He was my baby. He was funny. He could make people laugh when they needed it the most.”…