Teen Charged In Crash That Killed Friend
HARRISON TWP. (WWJ) - Police say an 18-year-old from Clinton Township has been charged in connection with an accident that killed his 21-year-old friend.
Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham said Gavin Enright was arraigned Monday on charges of operating while intoxicated causing death and fleeing and eluding, both 15 year felonies. Bond was set at $150,000.
Police say Enright was behind the wheel of an SUV that rolled over on an I-94 ramp following a brief police pursuit around 3 a.m. last Friday. The crash killed Donald Larrel Smelser-Emerson of Harrison Township, who was a passenger in the vehicle.
Police say Enright's father called them about 10 minutes before the accident, indicating his son was driving the SUV without a license.
A deputy who was on patrol in a neighboring subdivision spotted the SUV driving without any headlights on and followed the vehicle to 16 Mile Road, at which time he tried to make a traffic stop.
Police say the SUV began to accelerate at a high rate of speed before attempting to access eastbound I-94 from 16 Mile Road. That's when police say Enright lost control, causing the vehicle to roll multiple times.
Smelser-Emerson was declared dead at the scene. Enright was taken to a local hospital for treatment of minor injuries.
Wickersham said his office is continuing an investigation.
