The Buick Park Avenue police say crashed into a minivan at 23 Mile and Hayes. (Credit: WJBK | myFOXDetroit.com)
Tomislav Anakiev
SHELBY TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WJBK) -
Sitting still in the Shelby Township police lot is a minivan in which a husband, wife and their three kids were taking an evening ride. Police say a Buick Park Avenue slammed into that minivan killing a three-year-old and that the driver was drunk when she ran a light at 23 Mile and Hayes at 8:45 p.m.
"Preliminary results show that there's alcohol involved. We have plenty of witnesses that saw the person run the red light, and we're pretty comfortable that we have a drunk driving case here and a tragic accident," said Police Chief Roland Woelkers.
The woman who police say was driving the Buick was pronounced dead at the hospital. Broken bones and other injuries also sent the child's family members to the hospital.
The police chief, a father himself, said this accident hits home hard.
"It's real frustrating to me as a police chief in our community that we continue to have drunk driving appear in these tragic events, and it still seems that we still have people out there drinking and driving. It just boggles the mind that we have that going on."
Then about two-and-a-half hours later at Hayes and 24 Mile Road, a 72-year-old man was struck and killed on impact. The victim, Tomislav Anakiev, moved to America from Macedonia and became a citizen a little over ten years ago. His son said the highly successful businessman helped orphans a world away and neighbors here at home. Recently he suffered from dementia and depression.
"He retired about ten years ago. He's been married with my mom about 48 years," his son said.
His neighbor is sadden and still shocked.
"Always out taking care of the lawn, doing everything he does to take care of the neighborhood. It's a true tragedy, absolute tragedy."
The 62-year-old driver that hit him was interviewed at the scene and sent home. No charges.
"He was helping everybody he could help," said his son. "Anybody ask him for a favor, he would try to help them if he could."
As for Anakiev, his son told us he will be buried next to his eldest son, who died just four years ago.
In the meantime, we're told the mother injured in the accident at 23 Mile and Hayes is in stable condition.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:21 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:21:52 GMT
As people struggle to pick up the pieces in the areas of Oklahoma ravaged by tornadoes, we've learned some relief will be coming from right here in Michigan.
As people struggle to pick up the pieces in the areas of Oklahoma ravaged by tornadoes, we've learned some relief will be coming from right here in Michigan.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:44 PM EDT2013-05-23 03:44:19 GMT
Find out how you can help the victims of Monday's deadly tornado that ripped through the Oklahoma City suburbs, killing two dozen and flattening neighborhoods, schools and businesses.
Find out how you can help the victims of Monday's deadly tornado that ripped through the Oklahoma City suburbs, killing two dozen and flattening neighborhoods, schools and businesses.
Thursday, May 23 2013 1:30 PM EDT2013-05-23 17:30:30 GMT
The incident forcing the partial evacuation of Detroit Metropolitan Airport for hours one day last month was triggered by law enforcement officials' belief that they'd found an improvised explosive device in luggage.
The incident forcing the partial evacuation of Detroit Metropolitan Airport for hours one day last month was triggered by law enforcement officials' belief that they'd found an improvised explosive device in luggage.
Thursday, May 23 2013 12:28 PM EDT2013-05-23 16:28:22 GMT
One week after appearing via satellite on the American Idol season finale the Queen of Soul has rescheduled next month's planned performance at the DTE Energy Music Theatre.
One week after appearing via satellite on the American Idol season finale the Queen of Soul has rescheduled next month's planned performance at the DTE Energy Music Theatre.
Thursday, May 23 2013 11:48 AM EDT2013-05-23 15:48:50 GMT
Former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick is dropping his longtime lawyer. Kilpatrick told a judge Thursday that his relationship with James Thomas deteriorated long before his conviction.
Former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick is dropping his longtime lawyer. Kilpatrick told a judge Thursday that his relationship with James Thomas deteriorated long before his conviction two months ago on corruption charges.
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:59 AM EDT2013-05-23 14:59:53 GMT
Bugs are important to our environment and can even tell us about our water quality. That's why dozens on local students have been taking part in bug hunts.
Bugs are important to our environment and can even tell us about our water quality. That's why dozens on local students have been taking part in bug hunts.
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:58 AM EDT2013-05-23 11:58:41 GMT
New U.S. Census Bureau estimates say Detroit's population remained just above 700,000 last year. The figures show Detroit lost residents between 2011 and 2012, but the decline was at a slower pace than in previous years.
New U.S. Census Bureau estimates say Detroit's population remained just above 700,000 last year. The figures show Detroit lost residents between 2011 and 2012, but the decline was at a slower pace than in previous years.
The Buick Park Avenue police say crashed into a minivan at 23 Mile and Hayes. (Credit: WJBK | myFOXDetroit.com)
Tomislav Anakiev
