Former Warren police officer James Burke acquitted in fatal 2024 crash that killed best friends

A Macomb County jury acquitted former Warren police officer James Burke of all charges in a 2024 high-speed crash that killed Cedric Hayden Jr. and Dejuan Pettis, finding him not guilty of involuntary manslaughter and related offenses. The trial centered on whether Burke’s actions constituted criminal negligence, with the defense arguing the victims’ own impaired driving caused the crash. The verdict sparked emotional reactions from the victims’ families, who criticized the process as unjust. Despite the acquittal, two $100 million civil wrongful death lawsuits remain pending against the City of Warren and the officers involved.