Dearborn Heights officer arraigned on new charges in fatal crash

DEARBORN HEIGHTS, Mich. (WJBK) - A Dearborn Heights Police Officer who is accused of speeding in his cruiser without lights and sirens activated when he crashed into a car earlier this year, could get 15 years in prison for the man's death.

The Wayne County Prosecutor's Office announced on Monday that Larry Little, 32, was charged a new crime of reckless driving causing death - which carries a 15-year prison sentence if convicted.

Little was driving the Dearborn Heights police car on January 1 around 8:20 when authorities said he was speeding down Van Born road. He and his passenger were trying to make a traffic stop but didn't have their lights or sirens on when officials said he t-boned a Lexus. 

The driver of the Lexus, Timothy Turner, 59, died from the injuries after being hit.

In July, seven months after the crash, Little was arraigned on a misdemeanor moving violation charge. If convicted of that crime, he could have received a year in jail and/or an $2,000 fine.

Little's defense team filed a motion to dismiss in September. That was denied in October by the court which ruled that "the act of running the police car without overhead lights and a siren should be assessed under a reckless standard rather than negligence standard."

Wayne County was asked to issue a new warrant for the different charges. That was done last week and on Monday, Little was arraigned on those charged in Taylor. He received a $10,000 cash bond and is due back in court next Monday for a probable cause hearing. 

The misdemeanor charge of moving violation was dismissed on Monday as the new charges were put in place.

Little is currently on paid administrative leave from the Dearborn Heights police department, pending the outcome of the case.