BRANDON TWP. (WWJ) A Brandon Township man has been charged with a felony after his toddler-aged cousin fell off a tractor he was driving and died.
Anthony Steven Davis, 33, was arraigned on charges of operating an off-road vehicle while intoxicated causing death, a 15-year-felony. He's also charged with a misdemeanor count for operating an off-road vehicle while intoxicated and the occupant is less than 16 years old.
"Time and time again we stress the need to never mix piloting a vehicle of any kind with drinking alcohol," Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said in a release. "And yet, unspeakable tragedy continues to happen by this irresponsible behavior. Sadly, no one in this family will ever be the same because of a terrible choice."
The May 29 accident claimed the life of Roman Wager, 2, of Sterling Heights.
Sheriff's deputies received a call to a home on Nelson William Dr., in the area of Hadley and Oakwood, on a report of a child injured in a tractor accident. When they arrived, the mother was performing CPR on her unconscious little son. First responders took over the life-saving measures. Roman was rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. The cause of death was ruled blunt force trauma.
Davis told deputies he was giving Roman and another 2-year-old boy a ride on the tractor. Roman was standing on the tractor floorboard, and Davis had his arm wrapped around him. The other boy was sitting on Davis' lap, according to the Sheriff's Office.
Davis could not explain to deputies how the toddler fell off the tractor.
"One second he was there, and then he wasn't," Davis told Deputies.
A preliminary blood test found Davis had a blood alcohol level nearly twice the legal limit. A half-consumed beer was found on the tractor. He admitted to deputies that he drank four to six 12-ounce beers before giving the boys a tractor ride.
The other child was uninjured.
Davis was given a $50,000 personal bond. He is due back in court on June 17.
