Man accused of smoking pot, driving on closed road, killing Shelby Twp teen

SHELBY TWP, Mich. (FOX 2) - The Macomb County Prosecutor announced charges against a man they said drove high on a closed road and hit a 15-year-old boy who was walking on the street.

The driver, who was not named since he has not yet been arraigned, is charged with one count of criminal conduct - operating under the influence of drugs causing death. 

According to the Macomb County prosecutor, a 15-year-old boy was walking with a friend on 25 Mile Road west of Hayes when the driver hit and killed him. The friend was not hurt. 

The road is closed to traffic due to construction but the man was driving on the road anyway.

Prosecuting Attorney Eric Smith says the man was under the influence of marijuana at the time of the fatal accident and should have never been on the road, let alone a closed one.

"There is no greater tragedy than a family losing a child," said Prosecutor Smith. "Defendant should have never been driving on that closed road and it speaks volumes to his capability to operate a vehicle after smoking marijuana. It is critical the public grasps the dangers of using marijuana prior to getting behind a wheel of a car. This is the type of devastation it can cause!"

The man is expected to be in court Thursday for his arraignment.