WARREN, Mich. – Warren police released dash cam video Wednesday showing a police chase that ended in a deadly crash last week, killing an innocent driver at the intersection of 8 Mile and Schoenherr roads.
A 17-year-old is now charged as an adult in connection with the crash.
Four other juveniles, ages 11 to 15, face charges as well.
Chase begins with ski masks, one headlight
Officers on routine patrol attempted to pull over a silver Dodge Ram near Fairfield and Georgiana streets around 1:58 a.m. on June 18 after noticing the truck had only one working headlight and other equipment violations.
The driver took off, leading officers on a seven-minute pursuit through southwest Warren.
At one point, officers attempted to deploy stop sticks to end the chase.
They also noticed multiple occupants in the truck wearing ski masks.
When the Dodge reached the intersection of 8 Mile and Schoenherr roads, the driver ran a red light and struck an innocent driver.
Remeious Washington, 48, was taken to a Metro Detroit hospital, where he later died.
According to Warren police, officers immediately requested fire and EMS personnel.
Within one minute of the crash, officers established contact with Washington and provided support until the Fire Department completed the extrication.
Five juveniles arrested
After the crash, surveillance video obtained by Local 4 showed the juveniles jumping out of the truck and fleeing.
Four were arrested at the scene. A fifth was arrested on Tuesday.
The five juveniles, one 11-year-old, one 14-year-old, two 15-year-olds, and one 17-year-old, were all from Detroit, police said.
Investigators believe the group is responsible for at least 15 vehicle-related crimes reported throughout Warren in the 48 hours before the crash.
Warren police also determined the Dodge Ram had been stolen from the Grosse Pointe area.
Teen charged as adult
Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido joined Warren Police Commissioner Erik Hawkins at a press conference on Wednesday to announce charges against the teens.
The driver, 17-year-old Deyarin Jamire Marsh, was charged as an adult with felony murder, second-degree murder, fleeing and eluding first degree causing death, leaving the scene of a crash causing death, resisting and obstructing, possession of burglary tools with intent to steal, and receiving and concealing a motor vehicle.
Marsh was arraigned on Wednesday and denied bond. He is being held at the Macomb County Juvenile Justice Center and is expected back in court on July 7 for a probable cause conference.
The two 15-year-olds and one 14-year-old were charged as juveniles with receiving and concealing a motor vehicle, resisting and obstructing, and possession with intent to steal.
The 11-year-old is also facing charges. Lucido confirmed that the 17-year-old and 11-year-old are siblings.
Commissioner stands behind officers
Warren Police Commissioner Erik Hawkins said an internal review cleared the officers of any wrongdoing, adding that the pursuit was justified given the circumstances.
“Our officers did not create this tragedy. Despite the tragic outcome, I stand firm behind the efforts of the officers of the Warren Police Department,” Hawkins said. “That 17-year-old chose to flee from the police. He chose to disregard the rules of the road. He chose to use a 4,000-plus-pound vehicle as a weapon against innocent members of our community.”
Hawkins said every pursuit is monitored in real time by supervisors and undergoes an extensive administrative review.
He also noted that Warren police pursuits are down roughly 45% over the past three years, with roughly 60% of those pursuits terminated by an officer or supervisor.
“This is a clear indicator that officers and supervisors are indeed using discretion and carefully balancing the benefits of pursuits versus the risks that are involved,” Hawkins said.
Hawkins acknowledged that police pursuits are a polarizing issue, with differing opinions even within law enforcement.
“Regardless of where anyone stands on this issue, we all agree that the engagement of a pursuit requires the utmost discretion and reasonableness based on a whole host of factors, with the safety of the community, particularly uninvolved persons, being the paramount concern,” Hawkins said.
Prosecutor urges stricter penalties
Lucido did not hold back in placing the blame squarely on the teen driver.
“Don’t turn this around and say this is the officers’ fault. I won’t allow it. There are laws set on the books; either you want them enforced, or you don’t.”
Lucido called on Michigan lawmakers to pass legislation imposing mandatory minimum jail and prison sentences for those convicted of fleeing or eluding police.
“Find a solution. Find an alternative, but telling me or my staff or the police departments that are protecting us that we’re not going to enforce the law, then take it off the books because otherwise you’ve wasted our time here today,” Lucido said.
Last year, Lucido announced his office would no longer offer plea deals for anyone charged with fleeing and eluding police, citing a surge in crashes caused by drivers attempting to evade law enforcement.
Family demands answers
Washington’s sisters said they are grieving and frustrated.
“I won’t be able to see my brother no more. Their family will be able to visit them. They will get out soon. I can’t see my brother no more,” said Shachetra Washington.
Sister Khadijah Caldwell questioned whether officials truly understand the weight of the loss.
“That’s just damage control. That’s just him doing his job to save face. But you don’t understand, because if you understood, then you would be implementing new ways, new tactics,” Caldwell said.
“What if that was your brother, son, daughter, anybody? If that was somebody in your family, would you still stand by these officers?” Caldwell asked.
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