PONTIAC - Two young men were charged with reckless driving that led to the death of a Macomb County man after he was ejected from a vehicle during an alleged drag race in Pontiac this spring.
Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald announced charges of reckless driving resulting in death and drag racing against Cameron Jack Pickett, an 18-year-old resident of Jackson, and Kody Scott Johnson, a 19-year-old resident of Waterford Township over the fatal March 30, 2023 incident.
According to the Oakland County Sheriff's Office, the incident unfolded along East South Blvd. at the Centerpoint Pky. in Pontiac, a known area where street racers are known to gather, at around 9:45 p.m. that day.
Authorities alleged Johnson, driving a Ford Focus, was drag racing Pickett, who was behind the wheel of a Nissan 350Z, along South Blvd.
When the two cars reached the Centerpoint intersection, they crashed into a Dodge Challenger being driven by a 24-year-old Saint Clair Shores man.
The Challenger had been reported stolen out of Toledo, according to the sheriff's office, and was doing donuts in the intersection when it was hit first by the Focus and then by the Nissan.
Upon impact, officials say the Challenger driver was ejected form the car onto the pavement.
He was taken to a hospital where he was listed "in grave condition," according to a news release. It was noted that the man was not wearing a seatbelt.
The victim later died of his injuries, authorities said.
Pickett and an unidentified passenger in the Nissan were hospitalized in stable condition, while Johnson was treated at the scene for minor injuries.
Sheriff's officials said alcohol was factor in this incident, but that reckless driving on the part of all the drivers involved lead to the crash.
"The death in this incident occurred because of reckless behavior and was completely avoidable," stated McDonald. "Drag racing is a crime, and it puts the lives of drivers, passengers, and innocent bystanders at risk. We will hold those who engage in such behavior accountable."
Reckless Driving Causing Death is a felony punishable by 15 years imprisonment and/or up to a $10,000 fine. Drag Racing is a misdemeanor punishable by 90 days and or up to a $100 fine.
