A Detroit man suspected of recklessly causing a crash in Detroit that killed a woman and critically injured her husband was released on a personal bond during his arraignment Monday.
Diontay Cobb, 40, faces charges of reckless driving causing death and reckless driving causing serious impairment of a body function, the Detroit Police Department said in a social media post. He’s also being prosecuted as a habitual offender on his fourth offense, authorities said.
According to Detroit police, around 7:39 p.m. Friday, he was driving a Dodge Durango north on Belleterre Avenue, near Livernois on the city’s west side. Cobb allegedly was driving faster than 60 mph in the residential area and allegedly ran a stop sign at Collingwood Street, authorities said.
The Durango collided with a Chevrolet Malibu driven by John Benson with his wife, Beatrice Benson, in the front passenger seat, police said.
Authorities responded to the scene and transported the Bensons to a nearby hospital. There, Beatrice Benson succumbed to her injuries. Police said John Benson sustained critical, life-threatening injuries. His medical status as of Monday wasn’t immediately clear.
Cobb was arraigned Monday in Detroit’s 36th District Court. There, he stood mute and a plea of not guilty was entered by the court on his behalf, according to online court records.
Magistrate Jeffrey David Kleparek set a personal bond, meaning the defendant was released without having to post cash or a surety bond, online records indicate.
Per the conditions of his release, Cobb may not use any drugs or alcohol and may not have any contact with his alleged victims, records show. His next hearing is slated for July 21.
The two reckless driving counts are cumulatively punishable by up to 15 years in prison. Police said Cobb is also being charged as a habitual offender on his fourth offense, which means he faces a mandatory minimum of 25 years in prison, if convicted.
Online court records do not list an attorney for the suspect.
mreinhart@detroitnews.com
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Man accused in fatal crash, 4th offense habitual offender released on bond
Reporting by Max Reinhart, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Max Reinhart, The Detroit News | USA TODAY Network
