Police suspect drugged driving caused crash involving mother and child

Romulus police are investigating the case of an Inkster woman who crashed her car while under the influence of an unknown substance early Thursday morning.

She also had her 11-month-old baby in the backseat when the car crashed.

Police claim that during their routine patrol route around 4 a.m., they noticed a red conversion van that crashed into a ditch near Washington St. and Beverly Rd. They discovered the 30-year-old mother standing outside the van shortly after the accident, appearing too disoriented to tell police there was a baby still inside the vehicle.

"Talk about being in the right place at the right time," said Officer John Leacher. "Thank goodness for where they were, because who knows what would have happened to that 11-month-old had we not been there."

After checking on the mother, police found the baby girl flipped over with the car seat laying on top of her.

"My heart just sank," said Leacher. "I started thinking the worst after hearing the crying and seeing the overturned seat."

After a close examination, the child appeared unharmed and is now in the custody of her maternal grandmother.

Investigators said they found pills inside the van prescribed in the woman's name, and it was apparent she was under the influence of some kind of drugs when the crash occurred.

Alcohol has been ruled out as a factor in the accident.

At this time, the woman is being cooperative with the investigation and is expected to be released once her health improves.

Police are currently awaiting toxicology results to identify what drugs were in her system at the time of the accident. If the blood tests turn up positive, Wayne County prosecutors will issue a felony warrant for her arrest.


About the Authors:

Priya joined WDIV-Local 4 in 2013 as a reporter and fill-in anchor. Education: B.A. in Communications/Post Grad in Advanced Journalism