1 killed, tow truck driver injured - 01.01.24 (MI) "Updated 07.17.24"

[TowForce]

Believed intoxicated driver hits, kills person getting their car towed in Detroit

 

 

DETROIT – A driver who police believe was under the influence crashed into a tow truck Monday morning in Detroit, killing the person whose car was getting towed.

 

Detroit police say a man in his 40s was arrested Monday, Jan. 1, after allegedly striking and killing a person and injuring another on Detroit’s east side. At around 5:20 a.m., the man -- whose identity was not provided -- reportedly crashed his Chevrolet Tahoe into a tow truck in the area of Young and Hayes streets.

 

The person getting their vehicle towed was standing outside the car when the crash occurred. The individual, whose identity was also not released, was killed when the Tahoe crashed into the tow truck, police said.

 

The driver of the tow truck was also injured in the crash. Their identity and the extent of their injuries were not immediately known.

 

Detroit police believe the man driving the Tahoe was under the influence, though more specifics were not provided. He was taken into custody Monday morning, and the results of the toxicology report were pending.

 

No additional information was available as of this writing.

 

RESOURCE LINK

 

https://youtu.be/i3f9DuQcqpE?si=KddAM5cs0LEjARDo

[TowForce]

Eastpointe man charged in fatal crash in Detroit on New Year's Day

 

An Eastpointe man is facing charges in connection with a car collision that killed a Detroit man and injured an Inkster man on New Year's Day in Detroit, the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office said Wednesday.

De-L Alekshay-Makalo Wesley, 49, was arraigned in the 36th District Court in Detroit on charges of reckless driving causing death and serious impairment of a body function, and operating while intoxicated causing death and serious injury, the prosecutor's office said.

Around 3 a.m. on Jan. 1, Detroit resident Dylan Bradford, 27, was involved in a crash near Hayes and Young streets on the city's east side. A tow truck arrived at the scene about two hours later to tow Bradford's vehicle, prosecutors said.

"This is a very hard, but unfortunately not a surprising way to start the New Year. Lives will be changed forever," Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said in a statement. "The evidence in this case will show that alcohol was involved when the defendant was driving. Now a man is dead and another is seriously injured."

Wesley's cash bond was set at $100,000 and he was ordered on house arrest with a GPS and alcohol tether if released, the Prosecutor's Office said.

His probable cause conference is set for Jan. 12

RESOURCE LINK

[TowForce]

Eastpointe man pleads in fatal Detroit drunk-driving crash

 

May 13—An Eastpointe man has pleaded no contest to a 15-year felony charge for an early morning New Year's Eve drunk driving drunk that killed a man and injured another.

 

De-L Alekshay-Makalo Wesley, 49, last week entered a plea to drunk driving causing death in Wayne County Circuit Court in Detroit for the Detroit east side crash that killed Dylan Bradford, 27, of Detroit, and injured a 35-year-old Inkster man, according to court and police records.

 

Charges of reckless driving causing death, also a 15-year charge, and reckless driving causing serious impairment of a body function will be dismissed under a plea deal between the defendant and Wayne County prosecutors.

 

Wesley is scheduled to be sentenced July 12 by circuit Judge Kiefer Cox.

 

Prosecutors said at approximately 5:14 a.m. Jan. 1 Wesley was driving south on Hayes Road four blocks north of Houston-Whittier when his vehicle collided with a tow truck, causing it to shift and strike Bradford and the tow truck driver. The tow truck had arrived after Bradford had been involved in a prior collision.

Wesley was intoxicated, officials said. He and the Inkster man were transported to a hospital.

[rreschran]

I've learned that incidents like these are unfortunate, tragic and happen all the time; especially on New Year's Eve. Reminder ... roadside customers should be situated somewhere safe and not allowed to wander. They should be seated in the tow truck's cab with their seatbelt on, behind the guard rail (if able to do so), up the embankment, or other place of safety where they won't become victim of a pedestrian strike. It's sad that the tow operator must have 100-percent focus on loading a vehicle quickly while at the same time having to babysit the customer. Get them secured first, and then work "fast as hell" to limit the possibility of you being struck. Although the tower was simply "doing his job", I have no doubt the tow company will be sued.

[TowForce]

Macomb County man sentenced for crash that killed 1, injured tow truck driver

 

Detroit crash killed 27-year-old man, hurt 35-year-old

 

DETROIT – A Macomb County man has been sentenced for a crash that killed one person and injured a tow truck driver.

Tow truck called to crash scene

Officials said Dylan Bradford, 27, of Detroit, was involved in a crash at 2:58 a.m. Jan. 1, 2024, at the intersection of Hayes and Young streets on the city’s east side.

A tow truck arrived around 5 a.m. to move one of the cars involved in that crash.

Drunk driver hits tow truck

Police said De-L Alekshay-Makalo Wesley, 49, of Eastpointe, was drunk and driving south on Hayes Street at 5:14 a.m.

He crashed into the tow truck, causing it to strike Bradford and the tow truck driver, according to authorities.

Medical officials pronounced Bradford dead at the scene.

Wesley and the tow truck driver -- a 35-year-old Inkster man -- were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Charges

Wesley was charged with reckless driving causing death, reckless driving causing serious impairment of a body function, operating while intoxicated causing death, and operating while intoxicated causing serious injury.

He was arraigned Jan. 3 at 36th District Court in Detroit and given a $100,000 bond.

Sentencing

Wesley was sentenced July 12 to 4-15 years in prison on the operating under the influence causing death charge.

He was given credit for 12 days of time served.

He must also pay $1,498 in fees.

RESOURCE LINK