Antonio Jason Craig Sr., a 52-year-old father was gunned down while salting roads on November 29, 2025. Oakland County Sheriff’s deputies on patrol discovered Craig unresponsive inside his pickup truck equipped with a salt spreader, stopped in the middle of Karen Court near Hopkins Avenue around 7:30 p.m. Initial life-saving measures revealed multiple gunshot wounds, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The shooting occurred during Craig’s routine winter work shift, turning a neighborhood street into a crime scene as investigators secured the area and called for K-9 units and a drone to aid the search.
Surveillance footage and witness statements led detectives to a potential suspect within hours. By 9:40 p.m., a 26-year-old Pontiac man was arrested in the parking lot of a Waterford Township restaurant after being located as a passenger in a vehicle.
The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, led by Sheriff Michael Bouchard, confirmed the swift arrest and praised the coordinated response using full resources. The suspect remains in custody at the Oakland County Jail, with charges expected from prosecutors as early as Tuesday. No motive has been released, but the incident underscores the dangers faced by essential workers during routine duties.
Antonio Jason Craig Sr. grew up in Pontiac’s resilient neighborhoods, where family traditions and local labor instilled his strong work ethic from childhood. He balanced demanding shifts as a road salt truck driver with a commitment to community, volunteering at youth events and supporting Pontiac schools. These early years shaped a man whose reliability extended beyond the job site.
Professionally, Craig dedicated over 20 years to public works, earning respect from colleagues for his steady presence during harsh winters. He pursued certifications in heavy equipment operation, reflecting Pontiac’s blue-collar ethos. His career fostered bonds with fellow drivers, turning long nights into stories of camaraderie amid Michigan’s snow.
Craig’s world centered on his devoted family, where he cherished his role as husband and father to Ashlee and Antonio Jr., creating joyful moments through shared holidays and park outings. He offered unwavering encouragement during milestones, his home a hub of warmth in Pontiac’s rhythms. Though his time ended abruptly, Antonio Jason Craig Sr.’s legacy of dedication inspires the city to honor essential workers.