Dearborn Heights teen dies in crash after police chase

Shawn D. Lewis / The Detroit News

Oak Park -- Pursuit of a stolen car by Oak Park police ended in a crash, killing the 15-year-old Dearborn Heights driver and injuring his 15-year-old passenger.

Desean Murrell Fant was killed, said Oak Park Lt. Mike Pousak. The passenger, reported last week as a runaway, is recovering from his injuries at Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak. Pousak said neither teen was wearing a seat belt.

"I don't know what their mindset was," said Pousak. "Unfortunately, it cost somebody their life."

Pousak said a 24-year-old Oak Park woman called police Monday evening to report her car stolen.

"She still had her car keys and said she had just parked her gold 1999 Saturn in a lot near Nine Mile Road and Scotia," said Pousak. "She was walking over to a friend's house when she saw her car go past her."

Officers arrived and a short time later, Pousak said the officers saw the car parked about four or five blocks away on Morten. "The officers started to approach the car on foot but the car took off and the officers ran back to their car. They were in pursuit, but the driver lost control and hit a tree and a parked car."

Pousak said the police will speak with the passenger after he recovers and will seek charges for car theft.

"Michigan State Police will continue to investigate the accident portion, and we'll continue with the stolen car portion," he said.

slewis@detnews.com (734) 462-2190