MACOMB COUNTY, Mich. – A driver accused of killing a woman in a Macomb County crash that happened while he was fleeing police in a stolen vehicle was sentenced to at least 15 years in prison.
Angelo Rickey Smith, 21, appeared in court on Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025, for his sentencing.
Smith, who was 17 years old at the time of the crime, pleaded no contest to the charges of second-degree homicide, first-degree fleeing and eluding a police officer, breaking and entering a building with intent and larceny in a building, on July 24, 2025, according to the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office.
The charges stem from when Smith and other accomplices stole multiple cars from a dealership on April 29, 2021.
Smith fled from police in a stolen Jeep, heading south on M-53 at speeds reaching over 130 mph.
He is accused of running a red light at 15 Mile and Van Dyke and hitting two other vehicles.
Emmon Woods, 20, was killed in the crash, officials said.
“This remains a deeply troubling issue,” Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido said in a previous press release. “Here, a young man stole a vehicle and then made the decision to flee from the police, which resulted in the death of an innocent young woman whose life was just ahead of her. There must be consequences to stop this behavior before it ends up with these tragic results.”
Lucido also previously called on lawmakers to “address the growing public safety threat of drivers who refuse to stop for law enforcement,” according to the release.
House Bill 4690, recently introduced by U.S. Rep. Rylee Linting, would allow for tougher penalties for drivers who fail to stop.
During the sentencing on Sept. 4, Smith’s defense attorney asked the judge to consider that he was 17 when the police chase happened and give a more lenient sentencing.
The judge said he believed Smith may have had his vulnerability taken advantage of due to his cognitive impairment, which ultimately led to Smith stealing cars with his friends. However, the judge put into consideration of how severe the crime was, which led to Woods’ death. The judge then decided to sentence Smith based on the no-contest plea.
Smith was sentenced to 15 to 50 years in prison for his second-degree murder charge, with an additional one to 15 years on his other charges.