A seven-minute chase ended in a T-bone crash at 8 Mile and Schoenherr. An innocent driver was killed. Five teens fled the scene.
Deyarin Jamire Marsh, 17, was arraigned as an adult in Warren on Wednesday on charges that include felony murder and second-degree murder. The charges stem from a police pursuit that ended in a fatal crash on June 18, killing Remions Washington, 48, of Detroit.
Marsh entered a plea of not guilty before 37th District Court Judge Steven Bieda. He was denied bond and remains lodged at the Macomb County Juvenile Justice Center in Mount Clemens.
The chase that killed
Warren police said officers attempted to stop a silver 2014 Dodge Ram around 1:58 a.m. on June 18 near Fairfield and Georgiana streets. Officers said the truck had a headlight out. They also said multiple occupants inside were wearing ski masks.
The driver refused to stop and fled south on Schoenherr Road.
"In the 48 hours preceding the incident … our neighborhoods in southeast Warren were hit with a significant surge in vehicle-related crimes, with upwards of 17 reported thefts, break-ins and attempted car thefts reported in that window alone," Warren Police Lt. John Gajewski said at a June 24 press conference.
The pursuit lasted seven minutes. Warren Police Commissioner Eric Hawkins said the chase reached a documented top speed of 89 mph.
At the intersection of 8 Mile and Schoenherr roads, the Dodge Ram ran a red light and T-boned Washington's vehicle. Police said Washington was stopped at the light and attempting to move over to yield to the pursuing police cars when he was struck.
"Investigators believe that Mr. Washington was complying with the law by moving to the right lane to yield to the emergency lights behind him," Gajewski said.
Washington was taken by Detroit Fire Department to Henry Ford St. John Hospital in Detroit. He was pronounced dead. Police said he was just six minutes from home at the time of the crash.
Five teens in the truck
Five juveniles were inside the Dodge Ram when it crashed. They ranged in age from 11 to 17. All five fled the scene on foot after the collision. Four were arrested at the scene. The fifth, Marsh, was arrested on June 23.
The other four juveniles include:
- Two 15-year-olds
- One 14-year-old
- One 11-year-old
Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido said the 11-year-old is Marsh's brother. All five suspects are from Detroit.
Marsh's attorney, Susan Cole, told the court that Marsh is originally from Glendale, Arizona and has an Arizona driver's license. She said Marsh was visiting family in Michigan and staying with his brothers at the time of the incident.
The two 15-year-olds and the 14-year-old face juvenile charges including receiving and concealing a stolen motor vehicle, possession of burglar's tools with intent to steal a motor vehicle, and resisting and obstructing police. The 11-year-old is also facing juvenile charges. All except the 11-year-old are being held at the Juvenile Justice Center.
The charges against Marsh
Marsh faces seven felony charges:
- Felony murder (up to life without parole)
- Second-degree murder (any term of years up to life)
- First-degree fleeing and eluding causing death (15-year felony)
- Leaving the scene of an accident causing death (15-year felony)
- Receiving and concealing a motor vehicle (five-year felony)
- Possession of burglar's tools with intent to steal a motor vehicle (five-year felony)
- Resisting and obstructing a police officer (two-year felony)
Police said the Dodge Ram had been stolen from the Grosse Pointe area shortly before the pursuit.
"All he had to do was stop"
Lucido used the press conference to argue that Marsh's decision to flee rather than submit to a traffic stop directly caused Washington's death.
"All he had to do was stop the vehicle, and we wouldn't be here today," Lucido said. "When you take matters into your own hands, you have a choice."
Lucido described the stolen truck as a weapon during the pursuit.
"That truck was a bullet coming at this man who died," Lucido said. "That vehicle is a bullet."
"Charging a juvenile as an adult is a serious decision that is made only after careful consideration of the facts and the law," Lucido said in a statement.
Police defend the pursuit
Commissioner Hawkins said an internal review found the pursuit complied with Warren police department policy. He said no disciplinary action was taken against the officers involved.
"We are here today because a 17-year-old murdered Mr. Washington," Hawkins said. "We are here because of the deliberate, calculated chain of choices made by that individual."
Hawkins said police pursuits in Warren have declined by approximately 45% over the past three years. He said about 60% of pursuits are terminated before they conclude.
What happens next
Marsh is scheduled for a probable cause conference on July 7 at 8:45 a.m. before Judge Suzanne Faunce in the 37th District Court. A preliminary examination is set for July 14 at 8:45 a.m.
Marsh is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.