This browser does not support the Video element.
Teen to be charged as adult for fatal police chase crash
A 16-year-old Detroit boy accused of hitting and killing a man while fleeing police over the weekend will be treated as an adult in court. The Macomb County Prosecutor's Office announced this week that the boy would be charged as an adult despite his age for the deadly crime.
LANSING, Mich. (FOX 2) - Drivers who choose to flee police would be looking at mandatory time before bars under a bill proposed in Michigan.
Introduced by Rylee Linting (R-Wyandotte), the bill would change the current fleeing law to add minimum prison time for suspects convicted of running from police in a vehicle or boat.
Proposed minimums:
If the bill passes, it will add minimum sentences ranging from 182 days in jail to five years in prison:
- Fourth-degree fleeing - no less than 182 days
- Third-degree fleeing - no less than 1 year
- Second-degree fleeing - no less than 2 years
- First-degree fleeing - no less than 5 years
The maximum sentences for these offenses and fines would not change.
Warren police chase policy: What's inside the document that dictates pursuits
The Warren police chase policy outlines what an officer must consider before chasing, along with guidelines when chasing, and what to do after a pursuit.
Dig deeper:
Linting introduced the bill after chases in the area she represents, including one involving a man who had shot Southgate police before fleeing through multiple cities.
"When people flee from the police, they not only endanger themselves, but the general public and officers in pursuit," she said. "It poses a huge threat to life and property, and it is vital we give our police, prosecutors and judges the tools they need to hold people accountable for their recklessness."
That chase is just one of several lately that have ended with injuries and even deaths. Macomb County Prosecutor Pete Lucido backed the new bill after a police chase last weekend ended with an innocent man dead. Alex Habib, 28, was hit and killed by a 16-year-old who police say was fleeing police in a stolen car.
16-year-old charged with murder for fatal Macomb County police chase
A 16-year-old Detroit boy is facing murder charges for a Macomb County police chase that ended with an innocent man who was driving for Uber dead last weekend.
"This dangerous trend puts lives at risk and undermines the rule of law. By working together across party lines, we can ensure law enforcement has the tools they need to protect our roads and our communities," Lucido said. "Every time a driver chooses to flee, they put lives at risk."
Lucido's office recently announced a zero-tolerance policy for running from police. In Macomb County, there will be no reduced plea deals for suspects charged with fleeing and eluding, which is a felony.
"It's not working because you haven't shown that there's any real punishment with taking off from the police," Lucido said. "If you're gonna run from the police, we're gonna make sure you walk to a jail cell."
Recent police chase coverage
- Teen in stolen car causes fatal crash while fleeing police
- Reckless driver dead after crash during police chase
- Police chase ends with suspects colliding head-on with patrol unit
- Man leads multi-day Metro Detroit police chase in semi truck
- Brayz Hamburger owner furious after police pursuit ends in restaurant's destruction
What's next:
The bill setting mandatory minimums was referred to the House Judiciary Committee for consideration.
The Source: Previous FOX 2 reporting and a press release from State Rep. Rylee Linting were used in this story.
Watch FOX 2 News Live
This browser does not support the Video element.