Feeds1 killed, 1 injured in crash
The driver of a truck that killed one woman and seriously injured another in a July 4 collision will be charged with vehicular manslaughter for her role in the accident.
Jennifer Cole, 26, of Dearborn Heights, was charged with one count of vehicular manslaughter, a 15-year felony, one count of driving while intoxicated causing death, a 15-year felony and one count of driving while intoxicated causing serious injury, a five-year felony, at the 22nd District Court in Inkster.
A not guilty plea was entered on Cole’s behalf.
The accident that resulted in the charges against the woman occurred in the evening hours of July 4. Cole was driving a truck North on Inkster Road at about 8:30 p.m. when she allegedly ran a red light and struck a Chrysler Sebring driven by Danielle Robinson, 29, at Michigan Avenue.
“It appears at this time that (Cole) may have disregarded the red light,” said Inkster Deputy Police Chief Greg Hill. “We’re getting some help with the investigation from the Michigan State Police, who are helping to reconstruct the accident.”
Robinson, a resident of Royal Oak, died as a result of massive internal injuries after Inkster rescue transported her to Annapolis Hospital. A passenger, 31-year-old Cherie Cruiekshanka of Warren, was later conveyed to the University of Michigan Medical Center in Ann Arbor for surgery, police said.
Cruiekshanka was listed in critical condition last week. Cole was also treated for non-life threatening injuries at Garden City Hospital after the collision.
Inkster Det. Brian Dennis, said preliminary breath tests given to Cole at the scene indicate that alcohol was not a factor in the crash. However, the investigation revealed that the driver may have been under the influence of narcotics.
“Preliminary tests taken at the hospital when she was admitted showed she was under the influence of cocaine and marijuana,” said Dennis. “Full-blown tests are being conducted by the Michigan State Police right now.”
Dennis said Cole’s driver’s license was under administrative suspension at the time of the accident because she failed to stop at the scene of an injury accident that occurred earlier this year.
Cole was remanded to the Wayne County jail in lieu of $250,000 bond after her court appearance Friday. Judge Sylvia A. James scheduled a preliminary examination for July 19.
If convicted of the charges, Cole could spend up to 35 years in prison.
Fatal vehicle crashes are a rarity in Inkster. Patrol officers could not recall how many years it has been since one has occurred in the city.
