Police Arrest Fugitive Wanted In 2012 Wrong-Way Fatal Freeway Crash
DETROIT (WWJ) - An elusive fugitive has been arrested after Michigan State Police say he evaded authorities for nearly 3 and-a-half years.
MSP Lt. Calvin Hart says 36-year-old Christopher Gaines drove the wrong way on I-96 in Detroit in December of 2012 and hit another car head-on. Both vehicles burst into flames, killing 27-year-old David Arcand of Dearborn Heights.
Hart said Gaines was taken to a hospital for treatment of his injuries.
After he was released, Hart said, Gaines disappeared.
"He was able to change his identity and obtain a fictitious driver's license and he has since been on the run from that incident," Hart told WWJ's Zahra Huber.
Hart credits the capture, Wednesday in Detroit, to numerous tips, countless hours of surveillance and multiple interviews.
Gaines was arraigned Thursday on a charge of operating while intoxicated causing death. It's unclear what additional charges he might face in connection with his flight from the law.
Police are also considering charges against Gaines' girlfriend for harboring a fugitive. Gaines had allegedly visited the woman, with whom he has a child.
The woman's name has not been released.
The MSP Fugitive Team has made over 600 fugitive arrests over the last three years.