WARREN, Mich. – Warren police released video of the pursuit that ended in a deadly crash Saturday night.
The chase happened on May 24 at around 9:30 p.m. when police said that Anthony Eugene-Douglas Grier, Jr., 33, from Detroit, was seen driving a Chrysler 300 at around 70 miles per hour in a 40-mile-per-hour zone on Van Dyke Avenue in Warren.
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Authorities said the pursuit ended when the vehicle allegedly driven by Grier Jr. entered the intersection of South Van Dyke Avenue and 9 Mile Road, where it struck a vehicle traveling east.
Warren police said they attempted a traffic stop with their lights and sirens activated.
Officials alleged that the Chrysler 300 failed to stop, drove on the sidewalk and in the middle turn lane, disobeyed numerous traffic lights, and traveled at speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour in an area with posted speed limits ranging from 35 to 40 miles per hour.
Police said the pursuit ended when the vehicle allegedly driven by Grier Jr. entered the intersection of South Van Dyke Avenue and 9 Mile Road, where it struck a vehicle traveling east.
Officials said the Chrysler 300 then struck a second vehicle. 71-year-old Wendy Drew, who was the lone occupant in the first vehicle, was taken to a Metro Detroit hospital, where she later died from her injuries.
According to Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido, Drew leaves behind her husband of more than 50 years, five children and 23 grandchildren.
Police said the lone occupant of the second vehicle was not injured.
Officials said that a man was seen running from the area of the vehicle involved in the incident.
Police said the man was taken into custody and identified as Grier Jr. He was charged with second-degree murder, police officer-fleeing-first-degree, and police officer-assaulting/resisting/obstructing.
The Warren Police Department held a press conference on May 28 regarding the chase that led to the deadly crash.
“This could have been avoided,” said Lucido.
“Anthony Grier killed Mrs. Drew,” said Warren Police Commissioner Eric Hawkins. “And the entire community is thankful to Prosecutor Lucido for holding Mr. Grier accountable.”
“I’m aware that were is a perception that there is an increasing amount of pursuits within the city of Warren,” said Hawkins. “I’m aware that there is a perception that our officers don’t use the appropriate discretion with these pursuits. I’m aware of the perception that the majority of our pursuits are out of policy. ”
Hawkins said pursuits are down 50% year to date compared to this time period last year. Roughly half of the pursuits that have been initiated have been terminated by either an officer or a supervisor. He also said the majority of the pursuits were within policy.
“We are clearly trending in a positive direction with respect to this high-risk activity,” he continued. “Are we where we want to be right now? I think that if you would ask our command officers and even our ranking filing officers, they would probably say that there’s improvements that can be made.”
Hawkins said there is “substantial” data that shows the department is heading in the right direction.
“The amount of people who blatantly disregard the lawful commands of police officers and refuse to stop their vehicles is absolutely astonishing,” he said.
“This is not a police problem. This is a people problem. People who have refused to comply with lawful orders.”
“[Grier] had every opportunity to stop his vehicle,” Hawkins said. “Mrs. Drew lost her life because of his selfish and criminal behaviors.”
Hawkins concluded with a message to criminals, saying, “The Warren Police Department will continue to use every available resource in every reasonable and lawful tactic to track you down and bring you to justice.”
You can watch the full police chase below: