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.
Thursday, May 23 2013 8:53 PM EDT2013-05-24 00:53:47 GMT
Anna Bailey was walking back from the gas station Thursday morning when she found 16-year-old Emonte Davis lying in the middle of the sidewalk on Sharon Street. He had been shot in the chest, and she tried to help.
Anna Bailey was walking back from the gas station Thursday morning when she found 16-year-old Emonte Davis lying in the middle of the sidewalk on Sharon Street. He had been shot in the chest, and she tried to help.
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.
Saturday, May 25 2013 9:17 PM EDT2013-05-26 01:17:14 GMT
Windsor and Detroit officials have submitted a bid to host Wrestlemania in 2015 and/or 2016. It has become one of the biggest sports entertainment events in the country.
Windsor and Detroit officials have submitted a bid to host Wrestlemania in 2015 and/or 2016. It has become one of the biggest sports entertainment events in the country. Wrestlemania is the SuperBowl of sports and entertainment.
Saturday, May 25 2013 8:29 PM EDT2013-05-26 00:29:51 GMT
A man accused of killing his wife and two children in Novi in 2008 has been extradited from India to Metro Detroit to face murder charges. His arrest could end a five-year-old murder mystery.
A man accused of killing his wife and two children in Novi in 2008 has been extradited from India to Metro Detroit to face murder charges. His arrest could end a five-year-old murder mystery.
Friday, May 24 2013 11:58 PM EDT2013-05-25 03:58:44 GMT
Police say a woman was held captive at a hotel for several days and forced to have sex around the clock with multiple men, whoever would pay the price. 26-year-old Deante Brown now faces sex trafficking charges.
Police say a woman was held captive at a hotel for several days and forced to have sex around the clock with multiple men, whoever would pay the price. 26-year-old Deante Brown now faces sex trafficking charges.
Friday, May 24 2013 11:18 PM EDT2013-05-25 03:18:53 GMT
Dairy Boy keeps getting hit with tire tracks in the yard, so they brought in boulders to act as a visual warning and physical reminder not to cut the corner. Now they've been told those rocks must go.
Dairy Boy keeps getting hit with tire tracks in the yard, so they brought in boulders to act as a visual warning and physical reminder not to cut the corner. Now they've been told those rocks must go.
Friday, May 24 2013 10:34 PM EDT2013-05-25 02:34:36 GMT
The pediatrician called him a big baby, his parents believed their boy was genetically destined to be obese, but he proved them all wrong. One day, he made a critical decision and became a weight loss winner.
The pediatrician called him a big baby, his parents believed their boy was genetically destined to be obese, but he proved them all wrong. One day, he made a critical decision and became a weight loss winner.
Friday, May 24 2013 8:54 PM EDT2013-05-25 00:54:08 GMT
More than 150 dogs have been removed from locations owned by a breeding facility in Michigan's northern Lower Peninsula, where officials said the animals were living in outdoor enclosures with little protection.
More than 150 dogs have been removed from locations owned by a breeding facility in Michigan's northern Lower Peninsula, where officials said the animals were living in outdoor enclosures with little protection.
Friday, May 24 2013 7:06 PM EDT2013-05-24 23:06:29 GMT
Krazy Jim's Blimpy Burger, an institution for generations of University of Michigan students in Ann Arbor, is about to undergo a historic change of address.
Krazy Jim's Blimpy Burger, an institution for generations of University of Michigan students in Ann Arbor, is about to undergo a historic change of address.
Friday, May 24 2013 6:54 PM EDT2013-05-24 22:54:49 GMT
Gleaming stainless steel circa 1975 provides the once futuristic setting for Southfield's best-kept secret -- Anthony's Coney Cafe inside the IBM building at Nine Mile and Southfield Road.
Gleaming stainless steel circa 1975 provides the once futuristic setting for Southfield's best-kept secret -- Anthony's Coney Cafe inside the IBM building at Nine Mile and Southfield Road.
Friday, May 24 2013 5:31 PM EDT2013-05-24 21:31:37 GMT
A home explosion in Royal Oak back in February killed a man and damaged dozens of houses. Now some homeowners are complaining that insurance companies are making repairs difficult.
A home explosion in Royal Oak back in February killed a man and damaged dozens of houses. Now some homeowners are complaining that insurance companies are making repairs difficult.
Friday, May 24 2013 1:52 PM EDT2013-05-24 17:52:39 GMT
Alan Lee asks Wallace if the subject of Viagara will 'come up' in Wallace's scheduled interview with former Senator Bob Dole. Wallace responds, "Comes up, really that's what you're going to say?"
Alan Lee asks Wallace if the subject of Viagara will 'come up' in Wallace's scheduled interview with former Senator Bob Dole. Wallace responds, "Comes up, really that's what you're going to say?"
The Buick Park Avenue police say crashed into a minivan at 23 Mile and Hayes. (Credit: WJBK | myFOXDetroit.com)
Tomislav Anakiev
