Police: Driver racing prior to deadly crash
A Warren man allegedly was intoxicated, racing and driving on a suspended license when he crashed into a an acquaintance’s car over the weekend, killing the other driver and causing serious injuries to four passengers.
Xaiver Fuggerson, 33, of Warren, was arraigned Monday on 15 felony charges in 37th District Court. Judge Suzane Faunce set his bond at $1 million cash.
Warren Police Commissioner William Dwyer said the deadly crash was “completely preventable.”
“Any time alcohol plus excessive speeds and racing are mixed together, the outcome is never positive,” Dwyer said.
The crash took place about 1:45 a.m. Saturday at Groesbeck Highway near Stephens Road after the vehicle occupants left an unnamed bar in the area, where they had been socializing, police said.
Authorities are also investigating the bar to determine if any negligence or criminal activity took place prior to the crash.
The preliminary investigation shows Fuggerson was the driver of a silver Chevy Impala traveling south on Groesbeck approaching Stephens with a Chevy Tahoe was driving next to him.
Additional investigation and interviews confirmed Fuggerson was speeding and racing the now-deceased driver of the Tahoe. At some point, Fuggerson’s vehicle made contact with the Tahoe causing it to flip over, ejecting the occupants, police said.
According to police and prosecutors, Fuggerson’s blood alcohol content was nearly twice the legal limit of 0.08. He was arrested at the scene.
Dennis Smith, 48, of Detroit, who was the driver of the Tahoe, was pronounced deceased at the scene. Four other passengers in his vehicle, all adults from Detroit, sustained serious injuries in the crash.
Fuggerson was not injured, police said.
Warren police on Monday submitted their investigation results to the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office for review.
Prosecutors charged the suspect with operating while intoxicated causing death; reckless driving causing death; operating with a suspended license causing death; four counts of operating while intoxicated causing serious injury; four counts of reckless driving causing serious injury; and four of operating with a suspended license causing serious injury.
If convicted on the most serious charges, Fuggerson faces 15 years in prison.
According to police, Fuggerson has previous felony convictions and has numerous open suspensions on his driver’s license for various traffic tickets.
Fuggerson is being held in the Macomb County Jail. If he released on bond, he was ordered to be fitted with an alcohol and GPS tether.
His next
March 21.
court date is