CANTON (WWJ) -- An Ypsilanti man who wasn't supposed to be driving has been charged with murder in connection with a deadly drunken driving crash in Canton.
Canton Police said Maurice Griffin was arraigned in 35th District Court Saturday on second degree murder and several other felon counts in connection with the death of 32-year old Desiree Jones, a Belleville mother of two.
At around 12:20 a.m. on Thursday, June 6, police said Jones was driving her Chevy Malibu westbound on Michigan Ave., near Lilley, when she was hit head-on by a GMC Acadia SUV, with Griffen behind the wheel.
Both drivers were taken to a hospital where Belleville was pronounced dead, and the Griffen was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
An investigation found that Griffin was drunk, that he was driving with a suspended license, and that he had two previous drunken driving convictions, according to police.
Griffen is charged with the following: Once count of Second Degree Murder, a life felony; one count of High BAC Causing Death with a Prior Conviction, a 20-year felony; one count of Reckless Driving Causing Death, a 15-year felony; one count of Operating License Suspended, Revoked, Denied Causing Death, a 15-year felony; and one count of Operating While Intoxicated 3rd Offense, a 5-year felony.
His bond was set at $1 million.
"These criminal charges underscore the severity of the incident that claimed the life of a young woman, leaving behind her husband and two small children," said Canton Police Chief Chad Baugh, in a statement. "This tragedy has profoundly impacted her family, altering their lives forever. Our thoughts are with the victim's family during this very difficult time,
Griffen's next scheduled court appearance is a probable cause conference on June 21, to be followed by a preliminary exam set for June 28.
