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Cedric Hayden

Gender : Male

Age : 35

Race : Black

Date : 09/30/2024

Location : Schoenherr Road and Prospect Avenue

City : Warren

County : Mahoning

State : Michigan

Agency : Warren Police Department

Officer(s) :James Burke

Cause of Death : Vehicle

Event : Two bystanders killed by speeding police vehicle

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On September 30, 2024, at approximately 5:00 a.m., Warren Police Officer James Burke, 28, was driving a marked patrol SUV southbound on Schoenherr Road at a high rate of speed. His vehicle collided with a Dodge Durango driven by Cedric Hayden Jr., 34, and his passenger, DeJuan Pettis, 33, who were attempting to turn left onto Prospect Avenue. Both Hayden and Pettis were killed in the crash, while Officer Burke and his partner sustained injuries.
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Eyewitnesses reported that the police vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed without its emergency lights or sirens activated. One witness described the police SUV as "like a missile" and estimated its speed at over 100 mph. Another neighbor's video captured the high-speed crash, with the witness stating, "If he would’ve seen the lights, he would have never turned in front of the police. So they seem like they was doing at least 80, 90 miles an hour."
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The Macomb County Sheriff's Office conducted an independent investigation and found that the officers were not engaged in a pursuit at the time of the crash. However, Officer Burke was charged with manslaughter and two misdemeanors. The families of Hayden and Pettis have expressed frustration with the charges, alleging preferential treatment due to Officer Burke's status. A vigil was held in Warren to honor the victims, and a $100 million lawsuit has been filed against the Warren Police Department.
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As of December 10, 2024, Officer Burke remains on administrative leave pending the outcome of the criminal and internal investigations.
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TOTAL FATALITIES/INJURIES DURING THIS POLICE ENCOUNTER: 2 fatalities.
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Last Update: December 10, 2024

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.fox2detroit.com/news/attorney-warren-police-car-was-speeding-no-lights-sirens-crash-killed-two
https://www.fox2detroit.com/news/neighbors-video-captures-high-speed-crash-killed-2-men-injured-2-officers-senseless
https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/local/2024/11/22/warren-officer-charged-with-manslaughter-in-crash-that-killed-2-men/
https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/macomb-county/2024/11/22/warren-police-officer-charged-manslaughter-crash-killed-two/76504264007/
https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/macomb-county/2024/11/25/attorney-manslaughter-not-enough-for-warren-cop-who-killed-2-in-crash/76565841007/
https://www.cbsnews.com/detroit/news/warren-police-officer-charged-in-deadly-crash-that-killed-two-men/
https://apnews.com/article/warren-michigan-police-fatal-crash-65e1af94c1aeef0d26829a23039121af
https://apnews.com/article/69a8ec77898923570d24743efe600d95