DETROIT (WWJ) - A 23-year-old Detroit man has been charged on multiple counts — to include murder — after he allegedly hit two young girls with his car on Belle Isle on Memorial Day, killing one and severely injuring the other, before fleeing the scene.
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said Alexander Smith, 23, of Detroit was charged with one count each of Open Murder, Leaving the Scene of an Accident Causing Death, Reckless Driving Causing Serious Impairment of a Body Function, and Leaving the Scene of an Accident Causing Serious Impairment or Death.
The murder charge alone carries a possible life sentence if convicted.
The charges stem from the May 30 incident were police accuse Smith of driving his vehicle off off Riverbank Drive on Belle Isle and up onto the beach area around 7:30 p.m. and hit the two victims who are sisters.
Related
He then fled the scene, authorities said.
On May 31, one of the victims, 12-year-old Ghadir Saleh of Dearborn, died of her injuries. The young girl's sister, 14-year-old Raghd Saleh also of Dearborn, remains hospitalized after undergoing surgery on Wednesday evening.
She is said to have been downgraded by medical professionals and is now listed in critical condition.
According to local community social media groups, Ghadir had immigrated to the U.S. only three months ago from Yemen. Both sisters are students at Lowrey Middle School in Dearborn.
A vigil for Ghadir is planned in Dearborn for Friday at 8:30 p.m. in front of Lowrey Middle School at 6601 Jonathon St.
“Mass shootings, especially ones where the victims are children—get a lot of attention and they absolutely should," Worthy said, "But we must also remember individual cases where children lose their lives through violence—no matter the instrumentality of death. More will be revealed about the alleged facts of this case later because this tragic incident is still under active investigation by the Michigan State Police."
Smith is scheduled to be arraigned on Friday in the 36th District Court.
Related
