Warren crash results in one death, four arrests, and one suspect on the run
A crash in Warren early Thursday morning has ended in four arrests and one death.
A silver Dodge Ram with at least five passengers who were wearing ski masks was driving through Warren neighborhoods. They were spotted by police at around 2 a.m. during a routine patrol around Fairfield and Georgiana avenues, who attempted to pull over the car.
The car fled from police, beginning a chase which ended in a crash at the intersection of 8 Mile Road and Schoenherr Road. The fleeing car drove through the red light crashing into a car driving west on 8 Mile Road.
After the crash, the five occupants of the Dodge Ram fled on foot. Officers were able to apprehend four of the five individuals, all of whom were identified by police as juveniles.
The driver of the other vehicle, a 48-year-old Detroit man, was taken to a local hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
Investigators say they believe the suspects are responsible for at least 15 vehicle-related crimes, including thefts and attempted thefts, reported throughout Warren within the last 48 hours.
The Warren Police Department Detective Bureau and the Traffic Crash Reconstruction Unit are currently investigating.
What are the legal issues at play in this case?
Crashes involving police vehicles can raise issues that do not apply in ordinary car accident cases, including overlapping criminal, wrongful death, no-fault and governmental immunity issues.
Michigan law can impose serious criminal consequences when a driver flees from police and causes a crash that resulted in someone’s death.
Determining fault and criminal responsibility depends on the facts of the case such as who was driving, whether the vehicle was stolen and whether the other occupants were involved in the related crimes.
Because the crash occurred during a police pursuit, investigators may also examine whether officers followed department pursuit policies and whether the chase was handled appropriately under the circumstances.
Police officers have emergency-driving privileges in certain situations, such as responding to emergency calls or pursuing a suspect. Those privileges are limited. For example, an authorized emergency vehicle may proceed through a red light or stop sign only after slowing as needed for safe operation, and may exceed certain speed limits only if doing so does not endanger life or property.
Passenger Liability in a Police Chase Crash
The passengers may also face legal exposure if investigators believe they participated in the underlying crimes, encouraged the driver to flee, helped conceal evidence, or acted together as part of a shared plan.
Mere presence in the vehicle is not always enough for serious criminal liability. However, if prosecutors can prove that the passengers were involved in thefts, attempted thefts, or the decision to flee police, they may pursue aiding-and-abetting or conspiracy theories.
Get help from Michigan Legal Center
Michigan Legal Center is the Law Offices of Christopher J. Trainor & Associates. Our attorneys help injured people and families across Michigan with personal injury, car crashes, no-fault claims, insurance disputes, serious injury claims and wrongful death cases.
If you or a loved one was injured in a Michigan car crash, call Michigan Legal Center at (248) 886-8650 or contact us for a consultation.
There is no attorney fee unless money is recovered for you. Case costs and fee terms are governed by the written fee agreement.
Michigan Legal Center can help you navigate the issues involved in claims such as this with Michigan car accident medical bills and PIP priority and Michigan wrongful death deadlines.