Innocent driver killed by street racers in Ypsilanti

YSPILANTI, Mich. (WJBK) - The Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office said an innocent driver was killed by street racers in Ypsilanti Wednesday morning when the cars lost control on a residential street.

According to the sheriff's office, two cars were racing around 11 a.m. in Ypsilanti when both cars lost control and crashed into a vehicle on Ecorse Road near S. Harris. 

The driver of that car died from injuries in the crash. Officials have identified the victim as a 62-year-old man from Whitmore Lake. They have not released his name.

"Two stupid people drag racing and think it's funny on an open road, took an innocent man's life," said Alla Abbas, who witnessed the crash.

The Washtenaw County Sheriff originally said four suspects were involved and one was in custody. Authorities have since updated, saying only two suspects were involved and one was in custody. There is not a description of the other suspected driver.

According to a witness, the driver of the Fusion had just finished eating at a diner and pulled out of the parking lot when he was hit by the cars.

"I thought there was an explosion outside, that's how big it was. Everybody jumped and it looked like a tornado...it was intense," said witness Tara Bolton. "He was eating in the restaurant, the gentleman was, and he literally pulled out and that's what happened."

Minde Bailey works at the diner and had just served him his meal.

"Very nice guy left me a 5 dollar tip on a 4 dollar breakfast," Bailey said.

Video from SkyFOX shows a red Ford Fusion, with a disabled license plate, in the middle of the road. That car has the entire front end sheared off from the front of the car.

Two other cars, a silver Audi and a white Chrysler 300, were on the side of the road, past the scene of the crash. The Chrysler had crashed into a line of parked cars past the accident scene.