FeedsMichigan Avenue chase ends in tragedy
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Anthony Salvatore QuasaranoNote: This article has been updated from the version that appeared in the print editions of The Canton Eagle and The Romulus Roman.
Anthony Salvatore Quasarano was a kind man with a passion for motorcycles, and his friends admired him for his easygoing nature and big smile.
The man known affectionately as “Tony Q” was killed tragically Sunday night in Canton Township while riding his motorcycle.
Friends remembered Mr. Quasarano on Monday at a meeting of the Motor City Chapter of the Harley Owners Group, where Mr. Quasarano was a road captain.
“It was a very, very somber meeting,” said Larry Telling, chapter director. “It was a pretty emotional experience.”
Mr. Quasarano had traveled with his wife to a Harley-Davidson dealership in Farmington earlier Sunday, where his motorcycle repair shop was sponsoring a ride to benefit local firefighter charities. After the ride ended, the pair had dinner with some friends in Ypsilanti before heading back home to Romulus via Michigan Avenue.
Then, out of almost nowhere, a Chevrolet Camaro fleeing from police struck and killed him. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
“It’s an absolute tragedy,” said Sgt. Rick Pomorski of the Canton Police Department.
The driver, William Floyd Craner, a 45-year-old Belleville resident, was expected to be arraigned Wednesday on multiple felony charges including second-degree murder, which is punishable by up to life in prison.
William Floyd Craner
The pursuit was brief and approached speeds of 100 mph. It started when a Canton officer spotted the Camaro, which was believed to have been involved in a hit-and-run accident reported by a 911 caller at around 9 p.m. that night.
The officer attempted to pull over the Camaro on Michigan Avenue near Belleville Road. Instead of stopping, Craner accelerated. Mr. Quasarano’s wife and two others were riding near him on Michigan just east of Haggerty Road as the Camaro approached from behind.
Pomorski said it wasn’t clear from the pursuing patrol car video whether the Camaro sideswiped or rear-ended Mr. Quasarano’s motorcycle.
Telling said that Mr. Quasarano reached out to him when he first joined the Harley group.
“Tony was one of the first people I ever had a conversation with,” said Telling. “He wasn’t really outgoing. He didn’t seek people out in that way, but he was quick to give you a smile and talk with you. A really nice individual.”
Michelle Cannon, the photographer for the chapter, snapped the last photos of Mr. Quasarano during the Axemen charity ride Sunday.
“He had the biggest smile and the warmest heart and just the nicest man,” she said.
Pomorski said Craner was taken to the hospital with injuries and released into police custody on Monday. He said alcohol may have played a factor in the incident, and that the suspect couldn’t explain why he didn’t stop for police.
“We asked him that. He doesn’t even remember being in the car,” said Pomorski.
Pomorski said Craner had a “minor” criminal history. A passenger in the car was arrested on unrelated warrants out of Belleville.
Meanwhile, Canton Deputy Chief Alex Wilson said it appeared the Canton officer followed department policy related to pursuits.
“There’s nothing in the reports that indicates policy was not followed,” he said, noting a full investigation was pending. “There will be a complete review by the supervisor that is on that shift and a determination will be made after that.”
Officers and supervisors are authorized to call off a chase if it becomes too dangerous, said Wilson.
An officer pursuing a vehicle, as well as a supervisor who follows the chase by radio, must constantly evaluate several criteria, including weather and road conditions, traffic congestion and pedestrian activity.
“In this case, those factors were evaluated during the pursuit,” said Wilson. “Unfortunately, it ended with a tragic conclusion.”
35th District Court Judge Mike Gerou denied Craner bond and remanded him to the Wayne County Jail on Wednesday. A preliminary examination is scheduled for July 27.
