Shocking evidence surfaced as videos show a Warren police officer driving at a high rate of speed moments before a fatal crash that resulted in the deaths of two men. Released footage captured by Fieger Law as part of a lawsuit on behalf of the victims' families reveals the patrol car barreling down the street at 116 mph in a 40 mph zone, with its emergency lights off.
The videos, which have been made public following a judge's order, depict a harrowing scene. According to FOX 2 Detroit, the officer identified as James Burke was not in pursuit of anyone at the time of the incident. The crash claimed the lives of Cedric Hayden Jr., 34, and DeJuan Pettis, 33, when their Dodge Durango was struck by the speeding Warren patrol vehicle.
Additional details were provided during a preliminary exam where a sheriff's deputy testified before the court. He detailed the precise speeds leading up to the crash—how the police SUV was recorded to be traveling close to 115 mph just seconds before the collision, with attempts to brake evident, according to a Detroit Free Press report. Burke faces charges including two counts of homicide-manslaughter with a motor vehicle.
In an emotional display, family members of the victims reacted to the released footage during a news conference. An attempt was made to communicate the grief and injustice felt by those gathered. "I just want justice for these boys," Cedric Hayden Sr. could barely manage to say through his grief, as reported by The Detroit News. The families have filed a lawsuit against the city of Warren and the police officers involved, alleging negligence, gross negligence, and willful and wanton misconduct.
Subsequent to the incident, the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office conducted an investigation, and now former officer Burke was charged. Burke's on-duty passenger at the time has not faced charges, but will be included in the civil lawsuit as ruled by a Macomb County judge, which could possibly further implicate a broader range of accountability for the tragic event.
