WARREN (WWJ) -- Two Detroit men are facing serious charges after an incident in Warren involving a wrong-way driver and what police say was an intentional crash into a police car.
On Sunday, March 1, Warren Police say officers spotted two vehicles driving eastbound in the west lanes of 8 Mile Rd. near Van Dyke Ave.
A Dodge Ram truck reportedly pulled in front of the other car, a Kia Optima, and reversed into it. Officers attempted to pull the Ram driver over, but the driver fled, police said, continuing in the westbound lanes.
The chase ended when the Ram crashed between a guardrail and a parked car.
When officers moved in to try to detain the driver and his passenger, it's alleged that the driver drove forward and then reversed into the Warren PD vehicle multiple times.
After repeated attempts to stop the truck, police said officers "deployed chemical spray to gain compliance," and both men were taken into custody.
The driver, 29-year-old Dawaun McQueen of Detroit, is charged with fleeing police, destruction of police property, two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, assaulting/resisting/obstructing a police officer, reckless driving — all felonies — as well as one misdemeanor count of open alcohol container in a vehicle.
His passenger, 36-year-old Eric Brown of Detroit, is charged with two counts of assaulting/resisting/obstructing a police officer, and open alcohol container in a vehicle.
Both men were arraigned in 37th District Court on Monday.
“The allegations in this case reflect a brazen disregard for law enforcement and for the safety of our community. Society requires that individuals comply with police and not obstruct them in their duties," said Macomb County Prosecutor Pete Lucido, in a statement.
"In addition, fleeing from police is an inherently dangerous act that puts innocent members of the public at serious risk. My office maintains a strict policy of not offering reduced plea agreements to individuals charged with fleeing and eluding. I will continue to take every lawful measure necessary to protect the residents of Macomb County."
McQueen’s bond was set at $100,000 cash/surety only (no 10%). If released, he is required to wear a GPS tether.
Brown’s bond at $10,000 cash/surety only.
Both men will be back in court for a Probable Cause Conference set for March 12.