Dearborn Heights police officer charged in fatal crash
A Dearborn Heights police officer has been charged with a felony in connection with a crash that killed a Wixom man in January, Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy announced Wednesday.
According to Michigan State Police, the police officer, 32-year-old Larry A. Little, was driving a marked police car around 8:20 p.m. Jan. 2 at Van Born and Pelham Road when it struck the car of Timothy Lee Turner, 59. The intersection borders Taylor, Dearborn Heights and Allen Park.
Turner died from injuries he sustained in the crash.
Little was on duty and riding with his partner when he allegedly drove at at high rate of speed in a 40-mph zone and struck Turner’s vehicle, according to the prosecutor’s office, which also said the cruiser’s lights and siren were not activated.
Allen Park Police assisted in investigating the fatal crash and then turned over the case to Michigan State Police.
Little is charged with reckless driving causing death, a felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison. He faces arraignment at 8:30 a.m. Monday in 23rd District Court in Taylor.
The officer initially was charged in July with a misdemeanor charge of moving violation causing death; that charge will be dismissed at Monday’s hearing, Worthy’s office said.
bwilliams@detroitnews.com
(313) 222-2027