Teen's ATV death during chase with MSP trooper leads to calls for ATV park in Detroit

Residents want safe place to ride after death of Damon Grimes

DETROIT – Detroit residents are calling for an all-terrain vehicle park to be built after a teenage boy was killed while fleeing a Michigan State Police trooper on his ATV.

Two separate investigations are underway into the death of 15-year-old Damon Grimes, who was killed Aug. 26 when he crashed his ATV while fleeing state police.

The incident has led to sweeping changes in MSP policy, but no charges have yet been filed. The trooper is accused of using a Taser to stun Damon before the ATV crash.

Now, the community is banding together to make sure something like this doesn't happen again.

Riding in the street can prove dangerous, so residents of Damon's neighborhood want to turn a vacant piece of land at Connor and Frankfort streets on the city's east side into an ATV park.

"We hope that we can acquire this particular parcel of land and give them something so they can have a legal place to ride, as opposed to being seen as always riding illegally, and things of that nature," community activist Oliver Gantt said.

Keeping the children busy, active and off the streets is the plan.

"It's definitely a safer place," Gantt said. "We need not only a safer place, but it's also giving something for the kids to do within the city of Detroit. They don't have absolutely anything to do. We just want a place, a safe place, for them to be able to come and enjoy these toys that their parents buy for them."

You can watch Steve Garagiola's full story in the video posted above.


About the Authors:

Derick is the Lead Digital Editor for ClickOnDetroit and has been with Local 4 News since April 2013. Derick specializes in breaking news, crime and local sports.