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Macomb County prosecutor's new policy to punish suspects fleeing from police
The Macomb County Prosecutor's Office is taking a firm stance with a bold new crackdown on fleeing drivers, emphasizing a policy of no deals and no excuses. Furthermore, the prosecutor is urging lawmakers to support these efforts to ensure accountability and enhance public safety.
FOX 2 - The Macomb County Prosecutor's Office introduced a newest policy of "Run from the law, walk to a cell."
Under the new zero-tolerance policy, there will be no reduced plea offers for suspects fleeing and eluding which is a felony, Prosecutor Pete Lucido said.
The backstory:
The change in operations comes amidst the surge in accidents around the country caused by drivers trying to evade law enforcement, resulting in injuries and fatalities.
Lucido is calling on Macomb County and Michigan's state legislators to draft legislation to curb fleeing from police, causing a greater threat to public policy.
"Every time a driver flees, they gamble with innocent lives," said Lucido. "This new policy is our commitment to ending that gamble."
Recent events tragically underscore this impact, including this week, a high-speed chase caused by a fleeing driver suspected of intoxication critically injured a male passenger in Detroit.
Related: 'Trending in a positive direction': Warren police chases down 50% from last year, commissioner says
Timeline:
On May 24, 2025, a woman lost her life when her vehicle was struck by a driver fleeing Warren police.
On May 7, 2025, a 17-year-old fleeing police after an alleged robbery collided with a Sheriff's patrol car.
On August 12, 2023, a teen fleeing police crashed into a vehicle, killing a mother and her unborn child and causing traumatic brain injury to her husband.
On April 29, 2021, a 20-year-old man was killed when a stolen Jeep Cherokee crashed after a high-speed pursuit was terminated by deputies due to extreme speeds.
"If you put your foot on the gas to run from the police, you just committed a felony," Lucido said.
A Warren police officer was seriously injured after a crash following a high-speed pursuit accident that involved three cars.
Currently, fleeing and eluding is a felony offense in Michigan, carrying potential penalties of two to 15 years imprisonment and steep fines ranging from $2,000 to $10,000. But Lucido said the flaw, is that there is no mandatory jail time.
Lucido is advocating for a bi-partisan legislative effort for amendments to the existing fleeing and eluding statute, including the statutory enhancement of consequences such as mandatory prison time.
The prosecutor's office said Lucido will be meeting with Macomb County legislators this month focusing on potential legislative reforms informed by the actual criminal cases and devastating consequences witnessed firsthand in Macomb County.
"What good is it if the person is getting probation? They broke the law. There's a lot of fleeing and alluding," Lucido told FOX 2.
By the numbers:
The following shows the number of Macomb County Prosecutor cases issued that include a fleeing and eluding charge:
Year - Total
2025 through May 31 - 139
2024 - 403
2023 - 401
2022 - 363
2021 - 352
2020 - 229
2019 - 226
"When these pursuits happen and we do catch the offender a lot of the times, the rules of the game now the guy lands on probation," said Warren Police Lt. John Gajewski.
Lucido said the goal is to garner bipartisan support to enhance public safety for all Michigan residents.
"Just as the crime of Felony Firearm carries a mandatory consecutive two-year sentence, it's time to consider if fleeing and eluding should carry the same mandatory penalty. The average weight of a vehicle is over 4,000 lbs. A fleeing vehicle can cause as much damage as a bullet," said Lucido. "We’ve seen the carnage inflicted upon families here in Macomb County. It’s time to address such reckless behavior statewide."
The Source: Information for this story was provided by the Macomb County Prosecutor's Office and previous reporting.