CHESTERFIELD (WWJ) - A 39-year-old man is facing several charges in connection to a Chesterfield Township crash that killed one woman over the weekend after police identified him as the other driver who took off from the area on foot.
Matthew Reynolds, 39, of Lenox Township was arraigned on Tuesday, Jan. 30, on two felony charges and a misdemeanor for failing to stay at the scene of a crash causing death, lying to a police officer, and operating a vehicle without an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) in the incident on Friday, Jan. 26.
IID's -- a small, handheld breathalyzer for ignitions that prevents users from being able to start their vehicle after drinking alcohol -- are typically issued for an alcohol-related driving offense.
According to the Chesterfield Township Police, officers responded to reports of a serious traffic crash around 9:13 p.m. on Jan. 26 in the area of Gratiot Ave. and 25 Mile Road.
When police arrived, they found a "massive crash scene" with debris littering over most of the roadway and two vehicles -- a Kia sedan and a Ford F-250 -- heavily damaged.
According to the department, when officers approached the Kia, they discovered the driver, identified as a 39-year-old woman from Chesterfield Township, had died.
The driver of the Ford pick-up truck was no where to be found. During their investigation, witnesses told detectives that they saw a man running from the area shortly after the crash.
The Chesterfield PD's Detective Bureau was able to identify the man that allegedly ran from the scene as Reynolds. He was arrested and arraigned in 42-2 District Court.
Reynolds is currently at the Macomb County Jail being held on a $300,000 cash bond. He faces up to nearly 20 years behind bars if convicted.
He is due back in court on Feb. 7 at 9 a.m.
Police did not state if drugs or alcohol were considered factors in the fatal crash.