(WWJ) Murder and other charges have been filed against two teenagers involved in a deadly drag racing crash, early this summer on Detroit's west side.
The Wayne County Prosecutor's Office charged 17-year-old Shanaya Copeland, of Detroit, and 17-year-old Zaria Hughes, of Oak Park, with a total of 25 charges in connection with the incident in which two other teens were killed.
Prosecutors note that 17-year-old defendants are adults under Michigan law, and Copeland and Hughes were charged as such.
Investigators said the teens were allegedly drunk and drag racing in a Ford Fusion and Chrysler 200 on Joy Road, early in the morning of June 27, when Hughes lost control of her car and crashed into Copeland's.
Both cars then hit trees.
Two backseat passengers in Copeland's car — Detroit residents, ages 17 and 18 — were killed.
Four others, including the drivers, were taken to local hospital.
Copeland suffered minor scrapes and bruises in the crash. Her front seat passenger, 17, of Detroit, sustained serious injuries to her right hip, tail bone and lungs, as well as cuts and bruises, officials said.
Hughes suffered a broken jaw, a broken left leg and a broken right ankle. Her front seat passenger 17, of Detroit, suffered injuries to her liver, and upper lip, as well as cuts and bruises.
Prosecutor Kym Worthy is fed up with cases like this.
“Since March of 2020, when the pandemic hit Michigan hard, we have reviewed or are in the process of reviewing fatal car crashes where the driver is alleged to be intoxicated, speeding and drag racing. We have been sounding the alarm on this since then," Worthy said, in a statement.
She added: "When a person drag races, or otherwise flagrantly disregards the rules of the road, people can lose their lives. So don’t do it, please. It is that simple."
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Copeland is charged with two counts of Second-Degree Murder, two counts of Reckless Driving Causing Death, two counts of Operating While License Suspended, Revoked, or Denied Causing Death, two counts of Operating While License Suspended, Revoked, or Denied Causing Serious Injury, two counts of Reckless Driving Causing Serious Impairment of a Body Function, one count of Drag Racing, and one count of Operating While Minor with any Blood Alcohol Content.
She was arraigned in 36th District Court on Aug. 14, and was released on a $500,000 bond with conditions that she cannot drink, she cannot drive, must wear a GPS tether. She must also remain confined to her home.
Hughes has been charged with two counts of Second-Degree Murder, two counts of Reckless Driving Causing Death, two counts of Operating While Intoxicated Causing Death, two counts of Operating While Intoxicated Causing Serious Injury, two counts of Reckless Driving Causing Serious Impairment of a Body Function, one count of Drag Racing, one count of Operating While Minor with any Blood Alcohol Content, and one count of Operating While License Suspended, Revoked, or Denied.
Prosecutors said Hughes has been recuperating her injuries. Arrangements will be made by the Detroit Police for her arraignment on a future date.
Copeland's next scheduled court appearance is a Probable Cause Conference on Sept. 16.
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