DETROIT – The boyfriend of a woman who was injured in a fiery crash on Detroit’s west side involving a stolen vehicle driven by a 15-year-old who fled a traffic stop attempt by Michigan State Police speaks about saving her life.
The crash occurred around 5 a.m. Sunday (April 19) near Outer Drive and Evergreen Road.
Police said a trooper attempted to pull over a stolen truck on Outer Drive near Schoolcraft Road, but the teen driver did not stop.
Police said the teen ran a red light and continued on Evergreen Road.
MSP said the trooper did not pursue, in accordance with department policy restricting chases unless there is probable cause to believe a violent felony has occurred.
Shortly afterward, MSP said the trooper came upon a crash scene where the stolen truck had struck another vehicle, then slammed into a nearby home and caught fire.
→ 15-year-old driving stolen truck crashes into car, home on Detroit’s west side; driver hospitalized
The woman driver of the struck vehicle was hospitalized.
Police have not released an update on her condition.
Mikai Jackson, the woman’s boyfriend, said he witnessed the aftermath and helped pull her from the wreckage.
Jackson said his girlfriend stopped by his home to drop off some diapers and other items for their children before leaving.
Moments later, as she approached a traffic light, the 15-year-old, per Jackson, came flying through the area at about 100 mph.
“The truck ended up bursting into flames,” Jackson said. “Her car ended up spinning, doing a whole 360 on the opposite side of the road.”
Jackson said he rushed outside after the crash and immediately went to help.
“My first instinct is that’s my girlfriend, that’s the mother of my two children, and I’ve got to go try to get her out of that car,” Jackson said.
He said her injuries appeared to include a cut on her hand and complaints of back and neck pain.
“She was slung around in that car as fast as he was going,” Jackson said, adding that the impact caused extensive damage, including the vehicle’s engine being dislodged.
The crash also damaged a nearby home.
The homeowner, Warren Scott, said the impact knocked the house off its foundation and trapped him inside.
“I got up and tried to open up the door. I heard people kind of screaming, but I couldn’t get out of my front door because the impact of the crash actually jammed the door shut,” Scott said.
State police said the 15-year-old driver was treated at a hospital for a minor head injury and released to his mother pending possible charges.
Jackson said he was shocked to learn the driver was a minor.
“I would think people would have better supervision of their children,” Jackson said.
Despite the severity of the crash, Jackson said he was relieved the injuries were not worse.
“If she would have been going the speed limit, it could have been way worse,” Jackson said.
The crash remains under investigation.