Michigan Officer's 115 MPH Reckless Driving Results in Death Of Two Black Men, Families Demand Justice While Victims Are Being Blamed

A Michigan police officer was driving at 115 mph without activating emergency lights or sirens just moments before colliding with a vehicle, resulting in the deaths of two Black men, leading to charges of vehicular manslaughter against him. The officer's legal team aims to attribute blame to Cedric Hayden Jr., the driver of the other vehicle, after a toxicology report indicated a blood alcohol level of .198, significantly beyond the legal limit of .08. Hayden, 34, tragically passed away alongside his lifelong friend, Dejuan Pettis, 33.Macomb County prosecutors contest the introduction of Hayden’s toxicology results, arguing its prejudicial nature could skew juror perceptions in favor of the officer. Currently, District Court Judge John Chmura is deliberating on whether to permit these findings as evidence, with a ruling expected imminently. Assistant Prosecutor Cory Newman emphasized the speed of the defendant as a primary causative factor in the crash.