Mount Clemens, MI : Driver charged for fatal crash in Warren on Wednesday, 24th August, 2016

A 19-year-old man with a suspended driver’s license was charged Thursday with two felonies for a collision in Warren early Wednesday that killed a motorcyclist.

Travis Wayne Howard Jr. was arraigned in 37th District Court on charges of causing death while driving while his license was suspended, an offense punishable by up to 15 years in prison. He also faces one count of failing to stop at the scene of an accident that resulted in serious impairment or death – a charge that could land Howard behind bars for five years if he is convicted.

Howard is accused of being the driver of a Buick LeSabre that collided with a motorcycle on westbound Eight Mile Road at Groesbeck Highway before dawn Wednesday. The motorcyclist was identified as Julian Hayden.

Police arrested Howard after he reportedly ran from the accident scene.

Defense attorney Antonio Tuddles said Howard panicked.

“He checked on the gentleman and he panicked,” Tuddles said when reached for comment.

The attorney said he will challenge notions that his client was at fault in the crash.

“This is going to be an issue as to who hit who,” Tuddles said.

Publicly, details about the incident are a bit of a mystery. Warren police referred The Macomb Daily to the office of Mayor James Fouts for any release of information. However, Fouts has not returned multiple phone messages and an email seeking information about the incident.

Howard should not have been behind the wheel of the LeSabre that collided with the motorcycle.

According to Michigan Secretary of State records, he was ticketed in Warren last March for failing to use a turn signal. He failed to comply with a court judgment so his license was suspended on June 29, a Secretary of State spokeswoman said.

In May, state records show Howard was issued another suspension because he failed to show for an April court date in Detroit after he was cited for having open intoxicants in a vehicle he was driving.

At Howard’s arraignment Thursday in Warren on the felony charges involving Wednesday’s fatal collision, District Judge John Chmura set bond at $5,000 cash or surety. Howard, with listed home addresses in Detroit and Garden City, is expected to return to Warren court for a probable-cause conference on Sept. 8. A preliminary hearing to determine whether there is sufficient evidence for him to stand trial is scheduled for Sept. 15.

Source :
Driver charged for fatal crash in Warren