Firefighter Charged With Murder, OWI In Alleged Drunk Driving Crash That Killed Teenager
MOUNT CLEMENS (WWJ) - A 43-year-old firefighter is facing charges for allegedly killing a 17-year-old girl in a head-on crash that authorities say was fueled by alcohol.
Macomb County Prosecutor Eric Smith said Tad Alan Davis, of Sterling Heights, is expected to be arraigned Tuesday afternoon on charges of second-degree murder and operating while intoxicated causing death.
Police say Davis, a Warren firefighter, was off-duty and behind the wheel of a speeding SUV that crossed the center line and crashed into Diana Pozderca's car. The accident happened around 8:45 p.m. September 11 on Plumbrook Road near Plainview in Sterling Heights.
"This poor girl never had a chance," said Smith.
Pozderca's car was pushed 75 feet back from where the collision occurred. She was declared dead at the hospital. Davis also suffered injuries in the crash and was listed in critical condition before being released from the hospital.
Smith said speed and alcohol were factors in the crash, which demanded murder charges in the case. Blood drawn at the hospital to determine Davis' level of intoxication indicated that his blood alcohol limit was approximately twice the legal limit of .08 percent. Smith said Davis was also driving on the residential road at double the legal speed limit of 35 miles per hour.
"He was in an area he was very familiar with, driving twice the speed limit. As a firefighter, knowing the devastation of drunk driving, twice the legal limit and twice the speed limit," said Smith.
Prosecutor Bill Cataldo argued against bond at Dennis' arraignment.
"There has been devastation to the Pozderca - there is a strong likelihood of conviction on these charges - we ask that there be no bond in this case," said Cataldo. "Mr. Dennis behaved in a very reckless manner when he was in a position of public trust and a young girl was killed."
Davis is a 15-year veteran of the Warren Fire Department. According to reports, he is married and has two daughters. If convicted as charged, he faces up to life in prison.
Saying Dennis poses no further "risk to the public" defense counsel Steve Rabault argued for his client's release pending trial.
"He is a highly decorated firefighter from the city of Warren - he has no criminal history whatsoever and I think that the appropriate bond in this matter is a personal bond," said Rabault.
Pozderca graduated from Stevenson High School this year and had just started classes at Macomb Community College with hopes of entering the medical field. She was on her way home from work at a veterinary clinic when she was killed.
Judge Michael Maceroni granted Dennis a $500,000 personal bond pending his return to court December 8 for a "probable cause" conference.
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