Fleeing teen driver kills Sterling Heights woman, leaves husband and son critically hurt

A teenage driver fleeing police in Sterling Heights on Saturday night crashed into a vehicle carrying a family, killing the mother and critically injuring two others, according to police.

The incident happened about 9:30 p.m. as Sterling Heights police officers attempted to make a traffic stop on a Chevrolet Equinox on Van Dyke Avenue near 15 Mile Road. The driver refused to stop and fled north on Van Dyke, according to a news release.

Police said the driver eventually ran a red traffic signal at Metropolitan Parkway (16 Mile Road) and struck a GMC Terrain, which was traveling through the intersection. The Terrain was occupied by a 34-year-old male, his 31-year-old wife, and their 2-year-old son.

“Unfortunately, the 31-year-old female succumbed to her injuries and was later pronounced deceased at the hospital,” police Lt. Mario Bastianelli wrote in the release.

Bastianelli said all three people were rushed to area hospitals. The father and son are reported to in critical condition as of Sunday morning.

All of the victims reside in Sterling Heights.

Their name were not released yet pending notification of next-of-kin, police said.

According to police, the suspect driver is a 16-year-old male from Detroit. He was not injured in the crash and arrested at the scene. Bastianelli said the teen was being pulled over for failure to have auto insurance, a misdemeanor offense in Michigan.

“Our hearts and prayers go out to the victims and their families of this tragic incident,” Bastianelli said.

The crash is under investigation. Any witnesses to the incident or people with information are asked to call the the Sterling Heights Investigations Bureau at 586-446-2825.