A 48-year-old Detroit man is dead after a high-speed police chase involving a group of masked teenagers ended in a violent crash at the Warren-Detroit border early Thursday morning.
The chase began around 2 a.m. when Warren police attempted to pull over a Dodge Ram near Fairfield and Georgiana streets after noticing several occupants inside were wearing ski masks. Instead of stopping, the driver sped off, heading south on Schoenherr Road toward 8 Mile Road.
When the truck reached the intersection of 8 Mile and Schoenherr, the driver ran a red light and slammed into another vehicle traveling westbound on 8 Mile, according to police.
The impact proved fatal for the driver of the second vehicle, a 48-year-old Detroit man, who was rushed to a local hospital but later died from his injuries.
Following the crash, five people inside the Dodge Ram fled the scene on foot. Police managed to catch four of them — all minors — and took them into custody. One suspect remains at large.
Investigators say the group may be linked to a disturbing pattern: as many as 15 vehicle-related crimes over just the past 48 hours, including multiple attempted thefts and stolen vehicles across Warren.
The Warren Police Department’s Detective Bureau and Traffic Crash Reconstruction Unit are now working to piece together exactly what led to the deadly chase, and whether the teens’ overnight crime spree played a direct role in the victim’s death.
No names have been released as the investigation continues, and authorities have not said whether additional arrests are expected.
This is a developing story.
