Deadly Livingston County crash victim identified as honored Oakland County probation agent

Just hours before she was killed in a crash Tuesday night in Livingston County, Candice Dunn was named the Michigan Department of Corrections 2017 Parole-Probation Agent of the Year. 

Dunn is one of five people who were killed when two cars crashed at Argentine Road and M-59 in Oceola Township. Three other people remain in critical condition.

The Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) held an employee appreciation banquet Tuesday night in East Lansing, during which Dunn was honored "for her dedication to helping those under her supervision succeed," the department said in an internal statement. Dunn had spent 12 years with MDOC, most recently working as an Oakland County probation agent. She joined the Oakland County Probation Office in December 2015, the MDOC said in a statement.

UPDATE: Police identify 5 people killed, 3 critically injured in 2-car crash in Livingston County

Dunn spoke at the ceremony Tuesday night. Scroll to the 47:38 mark of this video to watch her speak: 

She was on her way home from the banquet when the crash happened. 

Here's more of the statement from MDOC Director Heidi Washington:

"Those who knew her will remember her for her relentless passion for her work and positive attitude that helped change lives for the better. Her dedication and investment in offender success was clear through her work in the Urban Drug Court and Sobriety Court Programs, where she encouraged and inspired those she supervised. She was always looking for ways to help the community and regularly made an effort to give back to those less fortunate.

We are devastated by the loss and know that her ambition and drive to make Michigan a better and safer place to live will leave a lasting impact on our department. Our thoughts are with her family, friends and colleagues at this sad time. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her."

Here is a photo of Dunn with her award:

Here is another statement from the MDOC: 

“We are devastated by the loss of Agent Candice Dunn, whose passion for her work changed so many lives for the better,” said Director Washington. “Her ambition and her drive to make Michigan a better and safer place will leave a lasting impact on our department.”

Dunn was named the department’s 2017 Agent of the Year in April, and said at the time that she felt humbled to receive the award.

Her 12-year career with the department included work with the Eastern District Probation Office, Troy Probation Office and as a Drug Court Agent in Wayne County.

Dunn joined the Oakland County Probation Office in Pontiac in December 2015, as an agent overseeing the Urban Drug Court and Sobriety Court programs. She also served as a trainer to her colleagues and a criminal justice instructor at South University in Novi.

She was a leader in efforts to give back to the community and organized drives to help feed hungry families and provide gifts to those in need during the holidays.

“Our thoughts are with her family, friends and colleagues at this sad time,” Washington said.  “She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.”

Crash details

Michigan State Police said one of the vehicles was traveling at a very high rate of speed southbound on Argentine Road and blew through a stop sign at M-59. That vehicle struck a car which was traveling eastbound on M-59. The crash happened just before 11 p.m.

"I’ve been doing this job for 27 years and these have occurred many times unfortunately and they all affect us," state police Lt. Mario Gonzales said. "When we become police officers, they don’t take away our feelings."

Other crash victims have not been identified. 

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