MACOMB COUNTY, Mich. – A 31-year-old Lapeer man was bound over on multiple felony charges stemming from a 2025 Thanksgiving Day crash that killed his 5-year-old daughter.
Austin Thorpe appeared in court on Friday (Aug. 7) in Romeo for a preliminary examination.
At the conclusion of the hearing, Thorpe was bound over to Macomb County Circuit Court on the charges.
A judge added three charges during his examination: involuntary manslaughter, a second count of operating while intoxicated causing serious injury, and a second count of moving violation causing serious impairment of a bodily function.
Thorpe now faces:
- One count of involuntary manslaughter, a 15-year felony.
- One count of operating while intoxicated causing death, a 15-year felony.
- Three counts of operating while intoxicated causing serious injury, a five-year felony.
- Two counts of third-degree child abuse, a two-year felony.
- One count of moving violation causing death, a one-year misdemeanor.
- Three counts of moving violation causing serious impairment of a bodily function, 93-day misdemeanors.
- One felony count related to commission with a motor vehicle and adult advisory driver’s license sanctions.
- A second-offense habitual offender notice, which could be used as an aggravating sentencing factor.
The charges stem from a crash reported Nov. 27, 2025, in Bruce Township.
Prosecutors allege Thorpe was driving a 2011 Chevrolet Impala southbound on M-53 when he crossed through the center turn lane and collided head-on with a 2013 Chevrolet Impala traveling northbound.
It is also alleged that Thorpe failed to properly secure his 2-year-old son and 5-year-old daughter in the vehicle.
Thorpe, his two children and the driver of the other vehicle were taken to Henry Ford Macomb Hospital after the crash.
Thorpe’s 5-year-old daughter was later pronounced dead.
The 31-year-old is scheduled to be arraigned in Macomb County Circuit Court at 1:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 24.