A Detroit father who tore through Warren in a high-speed police chase with his 9-year-old son in the car has now admitted, at least legally, that he went too far. At Monday's pretrial conference, he pleaded no contest to multiple charges, including fleeing a police officer and fourth-degree child abuse. Authorities say the December pursuit ended when the driver lost control, turning onto 11 Mile Road and slamming into a guardrail. Prosecutors have also filed a third-offense habitual-offender notice that sharply increases his potential prison time, and sentencing is set for May 13.
According to WXYZ, the chase started on Dec. 16 when officers spotted a white Jeep making abrupt lane changes on southbound Van Dyke near Civic Center Boulevard. Warren police later released dashcam and bodycam video that shows the SUV skidding out and crashing near the I-696 and 11 Mile on-ramp. Officers said the driver climbed out and held onto the child as they moved in. Police reported finding open alcohol containers inside the Jeep, and said the boy was not hurt.
Plea and charges
At Monday's hearing, 31-year-old Otez Coil of Detroit entered no-contest pleas to second-degree fleeing a police officer, a 10-year felony, fourth-degree child abuse, a one-year misdemeanor, and operating while intoxicated, a 93-day misdemeanor, according to ClickOnDetroit. The outlet also reports that a separate charge of driving with a suspended license will be dismissed at sentencing under the terms of the plea agreement. Prosecutors have filed a habitual-offender, third-offense notice in the case as well.
What the habitual notice means
Under Michigan law, a third-offense habitual-offender enhancement can raise the statutory maximum on an underlying felony. Court opinions interpreting MCL 769.11 and related rulings explain that a third-offense designation can let a judge effectively double the maximum term for a qualifying charge. Legal decisions also describe how such enhancements can increase both the guideline range and the top-end exposure in appropriate cases. Prosecutors say that is why Coil, who is facing a 10-year felony for fleeing, now faces up to 20 years on that count.
Next steps and prosecutor remarks
Coil is scheduled for sentencing before Judge Viviano on May 13, 2026, at 8:30 a.m., according to the prosecutor’s office in court filings reported by ClickOnDetroit. Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido told the outlet that fleeing from officers is extremely dangerous and added that prosecutors were grateful that the child was not injured.
Hoodline first covered the arrest and department-released footage in December. Coverage will be updated after the May 13 sentencing and when new court records become available.
