Berkley City Councilman Resigns Amid Accusations He Fled Accident Scene

BERKLEY (WWJ) - A Berkley City Councilman accused of fleeing the scene of an accident has resigned.

In a letter provided to the media by the City of Berkley on Monday, Alan H. Kideckel admits his involvement in the crash and offers his apologies to the residents he served, adding that he feels his continued presence as a member of City Council would "distract our city from moving forward in a positive direction."

[Read Kideckel's completer resignation letter here] 

The city said in a media release that Kideckel submitted his resignation in writing to the City Clerk on Monday, and that it would be acted upon by the council at its next regular meeting, scheduled for Monday, February 5.

City officials previously reported that Kideckel had been ticketed for failing to yield to a traffic control device and leaving the scene of a property damage accident following a crash near Oakshire and Beverly back on New Year's Day. Officials said that later that morning Kideckel went to the Public Safety Department to file a report.

The accused being a public official in Berkley, the city attorney referred Kideckel's prosecution of the citations to Royal Oak.

The city said Monday that Kideckel's resignation is effective immediately, and City Council will have 30 days to fill the vacancy.