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Dearborn Heights Police Officer Charged in Fatal Car Crash

On July 14, 2017, Prosecutor Kym Worthy charged Dearborn Heights police officer Larry A. Little, 32, with a misdemeanor warrant for Moving Violation Causing Death in connection with a fatal car crash. On January 1, 2017 at approximately 8:20 p.m., Little was on duty, driving a marked police car with his partner riding in the passenger seat. It is alleged that, at the intersection of Van Born and Pelham Roads, Little was travelling at high rate of speed in a 40 mile per hour zone. It is further alleged that the police vehicle's overhead headlights were off and the siren was not activated when Little broadsided the car of Timothy Lee Turner, 59, of Wixom. The victim died from injuries sustained in the car crash. The intersection of Van Born and Pelham Roads borders Taylor, Dearborn Heights and Allen Park. The Dearborn Heights Police Department requested assistance with the investigation of the crash scene from Allen Park officers. The investigation was subsequently turned over to the Michigan State Police Department.

On September 11, 2017, the defense filed a Motion to Dismiss the misdemeanor charge which was heard before Judge Geno Salomone. On October 30, 2017, the court denied the motion to dismiss, and ruled that the act of running the police car without overhead lights and a siren should be assessed under a reckless standard rather than negligence standard. WCPO represented to the court that the charges would be amended to reflect the reckless standard, but the court requested that a new warrant be issued.On Tuesday, November 7, 2017, Prosecutor Worthy issued a new warrant charging Little with Reckless Driving Causing Death, a felony with a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison.* He will be processed and arraigned on Monday, November 13, 2017 at 8:30 in 23rd District Court in Taylor. After the arraignment on the new charge, the misdemeanor charge will be dismissed. Little is represented by attorney Chris Tomasi.

Little was arraigned on November 13, 2017 before 23rd District Court Judge Joseph Slaven. The probable cause conference is scheduled for November 20, 2017 at 8:30 a.m.; the preliminary examination is scheduled for November 27, 2017 at 8:30 a.m. Both hearings are before Judge Slaven in 23rd District Court.

*The charges are allegations and defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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