Police: Suspected Drunk Driver Responsible For Deadly Crash

EASTPOINTE (WWJ) - Authorities say an innocent motorist was killed in a crash with a suspected drunk driver in Eastpointe.

Sgt. James Baker said police started receiving calls just after 11 p.m. Wednesday about a woman driving recklessly after she turned onto northbound Gratiot Avenue from 8 Mile Road.

The woman made it two more miles before she rear-ended a vehicle that was stopped at a red light at Chesterfield Avenue, just south of 10 Mile Road.

"She was driving quick, according to witness statements. What the actual speed was, we don't have concrete evidence on that," Baker told WWJ's Mike Campbell.

Baker said the impact was so severe, the victim was forced from the driver's seat into the passenger's seat. The man, who was unresponsive when emergency crews arrived on the scene, was rushed to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The woman, who police say smelled of alcohol and failed a field sobriety test, was also taken to a hospital for treatment of a broken arm. She remains in police custody at the hospital.

"Blood was drawn under a search warrant but we're going to have to wait for the results to know exactly what the alcohol level was," said Baker.

Investigators are expected to present their case to prosecutors later Thursday. Charges are pending.

The victim's name has not yet been released.

Stay with WWJ Newsradio 950 and CBSDetroit.com for the latest.