Detroit driver charged in fiery Berkley crash that killed Warren man
Marquis D. Jackson is charged with operating under the influence causing death after police say an SUV going more than 100 mph hit a tree and caught fire in Berkley, killing passenger Eugene Garnett, 51.
By OCJ Staff
A Detroit man has been charged in a September crash in Berkley in which police say an SUV traveling more than 100 mph struck a tree and burst into flames, killing a 51-year-old Warren man.
Marquis D. Jackson of Detroit is charged with operating under the influence causing death, according to ClickOnDetroit. He was arraigned Oct. 2.
What police allege
The crash happened just after 10 p.m. Sept. 7 near Edgewood Avenue and Henley Street in Berkley, according to the report. Police said a 2021 Chevy Blazer struck a tree and caught fire.
The driver and a front-seat passenger were both taken to a hospital. The passenger, Eugene Garnett, 51, of Warren, died from his injuries.
Police allege that alcohol and controlled substances were involved, that the driver's blood alcohol level was double the legal limit, and that investigators determined the vehicle was traveling more than 100 mph.
Charges are accusations; Jackson is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Bond and next court date
Jackson's bond was set at $200,000 personal bond. As conditions of his release, he must wear an alcohol tether and is not allowed to drive, according to ClickOnDetroit.
His next court date is a probable cause conference scheduled for Friday, Oct. 16.
What happens next
The probable cause conference on Oct. 16 is the next step in the case. ClickOnDetroit did not name the court handling the case or an attorney for Jackson.
No further details from the investigation were included in the report. The charge of operating under the influence causing death rests on the police allegations of intoxication described above.
Garnett's death came more than three weeks before Jackson's arraignment. ClickOnDetroit first reported the crash Sept. 8, the day after it happened, describing a fiery wreck that killed a passenger and injured the driver.
What this means for residents
For Berkley residents, the case is a reminder of how quickly a crash at high speed can turn deadly on city streets. Police allege the SUV was traveling more than 100 mph before it struck a tree.
This story uses reporting from ClickOnDetroit and information from the Berkley Department of Public Safety.