A Warren police officer was charged with multiple offenses, including manslaughter, following a September car crash that resulted in the deaths of two men. James Burke, 28, faces two counts of manslaughter among other charges, after the incident on Sept. 30 where it was alleged that his patrol car collided with another vehicle at high speed, as noted by CBS News Detroit. The fatal encounter claimed the lives of 34-year-old Cedric Hayden Jr. and 33-year-old DeJuan Pettis.
Charges against Burke were announced after an investigation by the Macomb County Sheriff's Office. Marc Curtis, the defense attorney representing Burke, claimed that his client is "a highly-trained officer who has represented Macomb County and Warren with distinction." He also mentioned, "The one thing I can say about the incident is that it's unfortunate, and that there were actions on both sides that resulted in it," Curtis said in an interview with The Detroit News. Burke, who has been a police officer with the department for nearly three years, was previously employed at another law enforcement agency for five years.
The Warren Police Department in a statement issued after the charges were filed expressed recognition of the tragedy, noting that Officer Burke had an "impeccable record of public service with multiple public service awards and accolades," as reported by CBS News Detroit. They also stated, "That being said, police officers are subject to the same criminal code as the citizens we serve and, as such, the Warren Police Department acknowledges the Prosecutor's decision."
After the crash, the families of Hayden and Pettis filed wrongful death lawsuits against Burke, his partner, and the Warren Police Department, each seeking $100 million in damages. These lawsuits allege that the officers failed to obey traffic laws and were speedingly driving without activating their lights or sirens. According to FOX 2 Detroit, attorneys representing the victims obtained video evidence supporting these claims.
The case is set to continue with a probable cause hearing scheduled for Dec. 5, and a preliminary exam on Dec. 12. Burke was released on a $100,000 personal recognizance bond with strict conditions, including a prohibition from leaving the state and restrictions related to returning to law enforcement duties, as outlined by Macomb County prosecutors and recorded by The Detroit News.
