MT. CLEMENS (WWJ) - A 35-year-old driver was convicted on multiple felony charges, including murder, after his passenger was fatally injured during a high-speed police chase in Warren last year.
Jason Brilla, 35 years old, of Clinton Township was found guilty on all charges on Friday, March 24, in connection to the fatal crash last year. He now faces up to life in prison.
The jury convicted Brilla of second-degree murder for the death of his vehicle passenger, Jennel Castro, fleeing a police officer, causing death while driving on suspended license and resisting/obstructing/assaulting a police officer.
According to the Macomb County Prosecutor's Officer, the incident happened the evening of May 2, 2022, in the area of 10 Mile Road and Groesbeck Highway in Warren.
Warren police officers tried to pull over a Mustang driven by Brilla for speeding when he took off. A chase ensued when Brilla drove through a red light on 10 Mile and crashed into a Chevy Equinox.
His Mustang then wrecked against a utility pole and came to a stop.
Brilla was able to get out of the car, police said, and further tried to evade police by running from the area on foot. He was quickly tracked down and arrested not far from the scene of the crash.
A woman, identified later as Castro, was riding with Brilla in the passenger seat when she became trapped in the wreckage. First responders had to cut through the roof of the Mustang to free her and she was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.
"The Warren Police Officers attempted life saving measures to the victim who was unresponsive after the crash," Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido said in a press released. "Unfortunately the victim's injuries were too severe in this case and she succumbed to her injuries while at the hospital. These officers went above and beyond in their duties."
Brilla is due back in court on Tuesday, May 2 for sentencing.
