Man killed in Warren crash that split his car in half

WARREN, Mich. (WJBK) - A driver was killed in a fiery crash that split his car in half in a Warren neighborhood. Police believe the man was driving more than 70 miles per hour when he hit another car, then slammed into a tree.

Shayla Kelley finding it difficult to face the painful reality that her cousin Sterling Jolly was killed in a tragic two car accident in Warren Monday morning.

"I'm still in denial," said Shayla Kelley  "I really need him to know that I loved him because he had a problem with that,  feeling unloved since his mom and dad were gone."

Police are still investigating the accident but believe Jolly was driving at more than 70 miles per hour on Toepfer. He rear-ended another vehicle near Eastwood and then his car left the roadway, hit a tree and caught fire.

Jolly's passenger was taken to a hospital after suffering severe injuries.

The driver and the passenger that Jolly hit were also taken to a hospital for treatment and are expected to survive.

Jolly was killed at the scene, while  police believe alcohol and speed played a part in the accident.

"Reality kicked in when we saw the clip on Fox 2," she said. "You didn't say any names but we did see the car so that was how we identified that it was true."

Kelley says her cousin was a loving and devoted father but he was also well-known in Metro Detroit for his work as a tattoo artist.   He was based at several shops but had started working for himself and went by the name of "Tattoo Surgeon."

And as Jolly's family tries to cope with the loss they say they hope other families will learn from their tragedy.

"Family and friends need to stick closer together," she said. "For us to argue with each other all the time and take life for granted, we just need to stop and get it all together today."