WARREN, Mich. – A new video shows the moment that two men were hit in a crash by speeding police officers in Warren, causing them to lose their lives earlier this week.
Many people, including their families, are wondering what the officers were doing and why they were driving so fast during the incident at 5 a.m. Monday, Sept. 30, on Schoenherr Road.
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Background
The crash happened at around 5 a.m. Monday, Sept. 30, 2024, on Schoenherr Road, just south of Toepfer Road—north of 8 Mile Road.
Authorities said two Warren police officers were in a marked patrol SUV traveling on Schoenherr near Prospect when they collided with a white Dodge Durango that was attempting to turn onto Prospect from Schoenherr.
Victims killed, officers injured
Both Warren officers were seriously injured. According to police, one officer broke several bones and had head trauma. Warren Fire Department extricated the officer from the patrol car. Both officers were taken to a local hospital, where they are listed as stable. One officer underwent extensive surgery.
Warren police said both the driver and the passenger of the Dodge Durango, 34-year-old Cedric Hayden and 33-year-old DeJuan Pettis, died.
Family members said on Monday that Hayden and Pettis were lifelong best friends. They were very well-known and beloved in the area.
“Be on the lookout call”
Officials said the officers were responding to a “Be on the lookout call” for a stolen Jeep Grand Cherokee, and the officers were told there were stolen handguns in that stolen SUV.
During the pursuit, Warren police did not activate their lights or sirens as they crashed full speed into the driver of the Durango, Hayden, and passenger, Pettis, who were turning down their street to go home.
The video shows the direct impact, which was in a blur as the officers were speeding rapidly before colliding head-on with the Durango.
Earlier in the week, Warren officials confirmed the crash was not a result of a chase.
“At no time were these officers engaged in a pursuit of the white Dodge Durango or any other vehicle when the crash occurred,” said Warren police in the press release sent out on Oct. 1.
But Warren’s police dispatch radio explained what the officers were responding to.
“Be on the lookout for a black Jeep Grand Cherokee on Schoenherr and 10 Mile. There are also two guns in the vehicle as well.”
The officers went back on their radio and said they were going to respond to that, and in an instant came the horrifying crash.
Police confirmed they were chasing a suspect in connection to a business break-in that happened near the crash a few hours after it occurred.
Officials said Hayden and Pettis were not suspects in any business break-ins.
Police clarified that the Dodge Durango was legally registered to Pettis and was never considered or investigated as a stolen vehicle.
Macomb County Sheriff’s Office said they are investigating the situation and working to find a solution.
