Overview
- A Macomb County jury on Thursday found former Warren police officer James Burke not guilty on all counts in the 2024 crash that killed Cedric Hayden Jr. and DeJuan Pettis, ending the criminal prosecution.
- Prosecutors told jurors Burke drove roughly 114–117 mph in a 40 mph zone without emergency lights or siren and that his conduct amounted to gross negligence that caused the deaths.
- The defense countered with toxicology and reconstruction evidence, highlighting Cedric Hayden Jr.’s .198 blood alcohol level and testimony that the Durango made an improper left turn into traffic that the officer could not have anticipated.
- Both sides disputed the role of Flock Safety camera alerts and department training about when officers should use lights, with police witnesses saying Burke followed training and prosecutors saying policy does not excuse failing to use lights at extreme speeds.
- Civil wrongful‑death lawsuits seeking $100 million per family against the City of Warren and officers are still active in discovery, and those cases use a lower civil standard of proof that could produce different outcomes and sustain further policy review.