Drag racing may have been factor in fatal crash
Drivers of two separate cars charged
Warren police say drag racing may have been a factor in a crash that killed a 53-yearold man and critically injured a 25-year-old woman last weekend.
Two Warren men were charged Wednesday in connection with the incident that took place Feb. 25 at 3:40 p.m. on Ryan Road just north of 10 Mile Road.
Warren residents Golam Chowdhury, 22, and Ayman Tayasukh, 20, were each charged with one count of reckless driving causing death, a 15-year felony, and one count of reckless driving causing serious injury, a five-year felony.
Both defendants were arraigned in 37th District Court where Judge John Chmura set cash surety bond at $50,000 for each man. Chowdhury and Tayasukh had to surrender their passports and must wear a GPS tether if they post bond. Each entered pleas of not guilty.
Warren police say their investigation shows Ayman was driving a black Honda Accord northbound on Ryan Road approaching 10 Mile Road next to a gray Toyota Camry being driven by Chowdhury. Both the Honda and the Toyota were moving at a high rate of speed as they neared the Tim Horton’s coffee shop on the northeast corner of the intersection.
A second Honda Accord with three occupants was traveling southbound Ryan Road and attempted to turn left into the Tim Horton’s parking lot when it was struck by Ayman’s Honda Accord. Witnesses on scene told police both Ayman and Chowdhury were driving recklessly and may have possibly been “racing.”
The 53-year-old man who was a passenger in the car that was struck was pronounced dead at the scene; the 25-year-old occupant remains in critical condition in an area hospital.
“One person is dead and another is critically injured as a result of two drivers making the choice to ignore the posted speed limits and engage in some type of racing which cost an innocent and uninvolved resident his life,” said Warren Police Commissioner William Dwyer. “Now, the drivers involved are facing serious charges for an incident which was completely avoidable.
“This case should serve as a reminder to all drivers to slow down and obey the rules of the road.”
Ayman, who sustained injuries himself and remains hospitalized from this crash, shows no previous criminal history however he does show several previous citations and crashes.
Chowdhury has no previous criminal history and is to appear for his next court date March 14.