Warren police officer's speed in fatal crash under scrutiny at preliminary hearing

The preliminary hearing for former Warren Police Officer James Burke entered its second day on Wednesday with ongoing testimonies. Burke faces charges of two counts of homicide manslaughter with a motor vehicle related to a crash that resulted in the deaths of Cedric Hayden Jr. and Dejuan Pettis on Sept. 30. Testimonies during Wednesday's hearing included a sheriff's deputy discussing the speed of Burke's cruiser before it collided with the victims' vehicle. Questions arose regarding the event data recorded in the police cruiser, addressing factors like speed and distance. The defense highlighted that Hayden Jr., the driver, had an elevated blood alcohol level and lacked a valid driver's license. Another witness, Detective Sergeant Jacob Howell from the Macomb County Sheriff's Office, testified, during which a video of the crash was reviewed, causing distress to the victims' families and friends. Attorney James Harrington emphasized that the incident occurred while officers were searching for a suspect based on a description but without an active call for a serious crime. The defense also presented an accident reconstruction expert who suggested that both the Durango driver's improper turn and Burke's speed contributed to the crash. The defense plans to call two more witnesses and requested time to prepare. As a result, the hearing was adjourned until July 30.