A Sterling Heights man accused of reckless driving while fleeing police and causing a fatal crash in March is facing additional charges, officials said.
Keith Blackwell now also faces two counts of second-degree murder, Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido said Tuesday. In March, the 54-year-old was charged with two counts of first-degree fleeing a police officer, and two counts of reckless driving and causing death.
Blackwell was arraigned on the latest charges on Monday in the 41-B District Court in Clinton Township, the county prosecutor said.
A judge increased Blackwell’s bond to $200,000 and scheduled his next court hearing for June 22. The judge also ordered him to wear a steel-cuff GPS as part of his bond conditions.
If convicted, Blackwell faces up to life in prison for the second-degree murder charges. He also faces up to 15 years for each count of fleeing a police officer and up to 15 years for each count of reckless driving and causing death.
Blackwell’s attorney, Peter Torrice, was not immediately available for comment on Wednesday.
Officials said police caught Blackwell speeding March 14 on southbound Gratiot Avenue in Clinton Township and initiated a traffic stop on his vehicle near Quinn Road. However, the driver refused to obey and sped off, according to authorities.
Blackwell was traveling at more than 100 mph when he collided with a white Volvo S60 traveling eastbound on 14 Mile Road, investigators said.
At the time of the crash, there were two people in the Volvo, according to authorities. Officials identified the pair as Richard Talley, 23, of Roseville, and Joshua Jones, 24, of Southfield.
Police said one died at the scene and the other succumbed to his injuries at a hospital.
Blackwell was charged on March 23, and a magistrate set his bond at $100,000.
“There is simply no excuse for failing to stop for law enforcement,” Lucido said in a statement. “The Michigan legislature needs to finalize legislation to impose mandatory prison time for those who flee law enforcement, thereby endangering the public. We have seen too many lives lost.”
The prosecutor said Blackwell is also facing charges stemming from a separate case. He allegedly broke into a Mount Clemens woman’s home on the day before the fatal crash.
Blackwell was also arraigned Monday in the 41B District Court in connection with the home invasion case, according to officials and court records.
He is charged with third-degree home invasion and aggravated stalking, both five-year felonies.
The judge set his bond for the case at $50,000 and scheduled his next court hearing for June 22. He also ordered that Blackwell must wear a steel-cuff GPS tether if released on bond. He is forbidden from any contact with the victim, the court ordered.
Court records did not list an attorney representing Blackwell in that case on Wednesday.
cramirez@detroitnews.com
@CharlesERamirez
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Driver charged in fatal Clinton Township crash faces more charges
Reporting by Charles E. Ramirez, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
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