WARREN, Mich. – Newly obtained documents revealed the driver killed in a crash with Warren police officers in September was driving drunk.
At 5 a.m. on Sept. 30, a white Dodge Durango and Warren police car were involved in a crash on Schoenherr Road at Prospect Road.
Officer James Burke, who was driving the patrol car, was charged with manslaughter after allegedly speeding without lights and sirens when he hit the SUV.
Cedric Hayden Jr., 34, and Dejuan Pettis, 33, were killed in the crash. Burke’s partner was injured.
Related: Everything we know: New video shows Warren crash that left 2 men dead, injured police officers
Burke was allegedly responding to a “Be on the lookout call” for a stolen Jeep Grand Cherokee when he crashed at a high speed into Hayden and Pettis, who were turning down the street to go home.
Police confirmed that they were chasing a suspect wanted in connection to a break-in at a business in the area a few hours before. Hayden and Pettis were not suspects in any break-ins.
According to Hayden’s autopsy Local 4 obtained Tuesday morning, he was driving drunk at the time of the crash.
Although it was previously reported the car was registered under Pettis, sources close to the investigation told Local 4 Hayden was driving the car.
The Macomb County Medical Examiner’s Office said he had a blood alcohol level of .198, which is over the legal limit.
The families of both Hayden and Pettis filed a lawsuit against the City of Warren and the police department in September.
Local 4 is currently working on more information to this story, including how or whether this update changes the case. We will have those updates as soon as we have spoken to the appropriate experts.