MOUNT CLEMENTS (WWJ) – A Detroit man is facing a long list of charges in connection with a police chase last Thursday that ended with Warren police officers firing shots at him after a crash on I-94 in Detroit.
Michael Adkins, Jr., 26, was arraigned Monday on 18 total charges, including 16 felonies in connection with the chase.
It all started Thursday afternoon when Warren police pulled Adkins over for speeding in the area of 8 Mile and Gratiot. Dash cam video of the traffic stop shows him refusing to give the officer the keys to the car after he was instructed to turn it off.
The suspect also refused to give the officer identification before eventually turning the car back on and fleeing police.
About a mile into the pursuit, video shows Adkins intentionally ramming police cars as officers tried to box him in at a stop light next to another uninvolved car..
The chase came to an end along westbound I-94 near Woodward after the suspect ran into heavy rush hour traffic and crashed into the median wall.
Adkins intentionally hit other cars as he tried to escape and intentionally backed into a patrol car. He then rammed into a truck and the car went up the median wall.
That’s when officers fired shots at the suspect as he continued to try to drive away. The video shows two innocent bystanders fleeing from the truck and seeking shelter behind other police cars. They were not injured in the incident.
Adkins was taken to the hospital after officers rendered immediate medical aid until EMS arrived. He was treated for non-life-threatening injuries and released.
On Monday Adkins was charged with 13 counts of assault with a deadly weapon, as well as one count each of third-degree fleeing and eluding, resisting and obstructing and resisting and obstructing with injury. All are felonies that carry up between 2-5 years in prison.
He was also charged with two 93-day misdemeanors: reckless driving and driving with a suspended license. Adkins is also being charged as a habitual fourth offender, which carries an enhanced sentence due to prior convictions. Officials didn’t release any information about his prior convictions.
Bond was set at $500,000 cash/surety only. If released, he will be ordered to wear a GPS tether. His next court hearing is scheduled for Nov. 28
“This behavior is unacceptable. We will ensure that the rule of law prevails and that individuals who threaten the safety of our law enforcement officers and our community face the consequences of their choices," said Macomb County Prosecutor Pete Lucido, per a press release.
The incident left both directions of I-94 closed for several hours late Thursday afternoon.
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