Anthony Eugene-Douglas Grier Jr Arrested; – Authorities reported that a man from Detroit, who is accused of leading Warren police on a car chase and causing a fatal crash over the weekend, exhibited a “complete disregard for life.” The individual involved in this case, Anthony Eugene-Douglas Grier, Jr., aged 33, was arraigned on Tuesday at the 37th District Court in Warren on three charges related to the incident, according to officials.
Grier faces charges of second-degree murder, first-degree fleeing from a police officer, and resisting arrest, as stated by the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office on Tuesday.
“In this particular case, there was a complete disregard for life,” Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido remarked during a press conference on Wednesday at the Warren Police headquarters. “Driving on sidewalks, weaving in and out of traffic, and speeding in the middle lane while committing a felony. What more can I say?”
“It is evident that this situation could have been avoided had the vehicle stopped when the police activated their sirens,” he added.
The county prosecutor was accompanied by Warren Police Commissioner Eric Hawkins.
“I want to emphasize this point: Anthony Grier is responsible for the death of Miss (Wendy) Drew,” Hawkins stated. “The entire community appreciates that Prosecutor Lucido is ensuring he is held accountable.” A judge has denied bond for Grier and set his next court appearance for June 5.
If found guilty, he could face a life sentence for the murder charge, up to 15 years for fleeing a police officer, and a maximum of two years for resisting arrest. Lucido indicated that his office will pursue the case against Grier to the fullest extent of the law.
Court documents on Wednesday did not indicate that Grier has legal representation.
Authorities have stated that they are unaware of the reasons behind Grier’s decision to flee from the police. Additionally, they noted that he has prior convictions for driving with a suspended license, receiving and concealing stolen property, and attempting to flee or elude police. He also has 15 citations for speeding and various traffic violations, according to officials.
Moreover, he was arrested in March for possessing a concealed weapon, they reported. Police assert that the defendant was operating the vehicle that resulted in Drew 71, death. on Saturday. Lucido said she is survived by her husband of more than 50 years, five sons, and 23 grandchildren. Both Hawkins and Lucido expressed their condolences to her family for their loss. “Our thoughts and prayers are with them as they go through this very difficult time,” Hawkins said.
Police said an officer at about 9:30 p.m. saw a Chrysler 300 traveling about 70 mph in a 40-mph zone on Van Dyke Avenue near 13 Mile in Warren. Officers tried to pull the vehicle over, but the driver refused to stop, traveling on the sidewalk and in the left turn lane. They said police gave chase while the driver disregarded traffic signals and reached speeds of more than 100 mph.
The Chrysler and the suspect struck a second vehicle. Police said the entire police pursuit lasted about 5 minutes and traveled through Warren and into Sterling Heights before it ended. Officials said police then saw a man running from the crash, arrested him, and identified him as Grier.
Investigators said Drew was driving the first vehicle that was struck. She was taken to a hospital where she succumbed to her injuries. The driver of the second vehicle that was struck was not injured, police said. Warren police requested aid from a Michigan State Police helicopter unit, but the chase ended before it could arrive, officials said.
Hawkins said the two officers who were in the patrol car that was chasing Grier have been placed on paid administrative leave while an internal investigation is conducted, according to the department’s policy. Lucido said police car chases that end in tragedy are happening all too often across Macomb County. “What (infuriates me) is that people are disrespecting the law as well as the lives of others, like what took place here,” he said.
Hawkins added: “The amount of people who blatantly disregard the lawful commands of police officers and refuse to stop their vehicles is absolutely astonishing.”
“For every police pursuit that we have, there is a suspect who has decided to use his or her vehicle as a weapon against innocent people in our communities,” he said. “This is not a police problem. It’s a people problem. That has to be addressed.”
Both he and Lucido said they want state lawmakers to look at the issue and do something to protect citizens and officers. Despite that, the police commissioner said the number of police chases in Warren is down about 50 percent in the first half of the year compared with the same period in 2024. The commissioner estimated his officers have been involved in about 60 so far this year, and last year’s number was double that.
Saturday’s police chase in Warren is among the most recent cases of such incidents. Last week, a 27-year-old Northville man was charged in connection with a police car chase over the Mackinac Bridge and an attempted carjacking.
