CLARKSTON, Mich. (WWJ) -- A man from Virginia is jailed on drunken driving and murder charges after it's alleged he caused a freeway crash in Oakland County that killed a family of four, including two small children.
Charles Dean Pace, 27, of Glen Allen, Virginia, was arraigned via video in 52-2 District Court in Clarkston via video on Tuesday and was ordered held without bond.
He's charged with four counts of Second Degree Murder and four counts of Operating While Intoxicated Causing Death.
According Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald, the evening of July 1, Pace was speeding over 90 mph in a Ford F-250 truck southbound on I-75 near E. Holly Road in Springfield Township, while weaving in and out of lanes.
The truck crashed into a disabled Chrysler 300 that was parked on the shoulder of the freeway, killing all four people in the car: Zakeria Sharon Dodson, 23, Tieree Powell, 24, Nalani Powell, 3, and Karter Powell, 2.
Michigan State Police investigators said Pace's blood alcohol level was more than three times the legal limit.
McDonald noted in a news release that Second Degree Murder for vehicular homicide is a rare, but she does believe it is warranted in this case.
“Zakeria, Tieree, Nalani and Karter did not die in an accident,” said McDonald. “They were murdered because of this defendant’s alleged choices — to drive drunk, to drive fast and to drive recklessly — that created an obvious and unnecessary danger. “This is a rare charge, but we believe we can show the most extreme indifference to human life.”
Tieree Powell's younger brother Deonte, who was in court for the arraignment, told WWJ's Tim Pamplin he just wants to see justice for his family.
"I want to thank the prosecutor for bringing down those murder charges against," he said. "You know, I believe it's premeditated. When you drink alcohol and get behind the wheel, that's premeditated."
Pace was remanded to the Oakland County Jail where he will await his next court appearance, set for July 14.
He faces up to life in prison if he's convicted as charged.
