Charges upped to felony for Dearborn Heights cop in crash that killed grandfather

(WJBK) - A  Dearborn Heights police officer is now facing a felony after a deadly crash.
 
Officer Larry Little was initially charged with a misdemeanor in the crash that killed 59-year old Timothy Turner on Jan. 2.
 
The prosecutor says the officer was speeding in his cruiser  when he crashed into Turner's car at Van Born and Pelham Road. The posted speed in that area is 40 miles per hour.
    
In September, the officer and his attorney tried the get the misdemeanor dismissed.  Instead the court ruled that a police car speeding without overhead lights and a siren should be considered reckless.

Now the officer is charged with reckless driving causing death -- a felony with a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison.

Turner was a grandfather on his way to work. He was remembered as a dedicated truck driver and military veteran.