An Oakland County woman has been charged with several felonies after a fatal traffic accident that claimed the life of a Fenton motorcyclist. Leeann Jean Darling, 36, from Pontiac, is accused of running a red light and fleeing the scene of the crash that resulted in the death of 49-year-old Jack Leverne Turnblom, as well as injuries to his 44-year-old passenger, ClickOnDetroit reports.
The incident took place on Sept. 1, just before 10:30 p.m. at Woodward Avenue and Perry Street in Pontiac. Turnblom was operating a 2009 Harley Davidson FLHX headed northwest on Woodward when Darling's 2010 GMC Terrain ran the red light for northbound Perry Street, leading to the fatal collision. Following the crash, Darling allegedly exited her vehicle and left the scene on foot, MLive detailed.
The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office reported that neither of the motorcycle riders was wearing a helmet at the time of the incident. Darling was identified as a suspect and turned herself in on Oct. 1. It was subsequently discovered that she had an existing felony probation violation warrant in Macomb County for an unrelated offense. "The inhumanity of striking a fellow human being and taking off to leave them to die is staggering," Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said. "The suspect in this case has had more than one opportunity to change their irresponsible and dangerous behavior but failed to do so. The terrible consequences of that decision must be something they are held accountable for," according to Mid-Michigan Now.
Darling has been charged with failing to stop at the scene of an accident when at fault, resulting in death, operating a motor vehicle while license suspended, denied, or revoked, causing death, and operating a motor vehicle while license suspended, denied, or revoked, causing serious injury. If convicted for these charges, she could face up to 35 years in prison. Darling was arraigned last Saturday with the bond set at $750,000 cash or surety, as reported by MLive.
