ROYAL OAK, Mich. – A 26-year-old Royal Oak man is accused of operating a vehicle under the influence when his pickup truck rear-ended a car on I-75 in September, killing a 10-year-old girl.
Mark Silva Jr. has been arrested and charged with one count of OUI causing death and three counts of OUI causing serious impairment. He was arraigned Nov. 22 and is being held at the Oakland County Jail.
Recommended Videos
Family members said 10-year-old Lalonni Yharbough had just attended a friend's birthday party the night of Sept. 17 at an Oakland County trampoline game park. On the way home, with her 23-year-old older sister, Jasmine Yharbough, at the wheel, a pickup truck rear-ended their Pontiac G6 on I-75 with Lalonni and four other family members inside. The crash happened just north of I-696 on I-75 south.
The truck shot into a ditch. The G6 careened up an embankment and into a bridge abutment. The impact was so strong, it launched Lalonni out of the car and down onto the highway.
Read back: Family mourns 10-year-old girl's death after crash with drunken driver
A driver in another car stood guard over her body until police arrived.
Jasmine Yharbough suffered broken arms and head injuries.
Michigan State Police said they believe alcohol was a factor in the crash.