Off-duty Detroit police officer, woman killed in crash along Woodward

DETROIT (WJBK) - An off-duty Detroit police officer was killed early Thursday morning in a crash along Woodward Avenue.

A woman inside the car was also killed in the crash. We're told the officer's 11-year-old daughter was also in the car, and that she was rushed to the hospital in stable condition. 

Police Chief James Craig held a 10:45 press conference to discuss the crash. WATCH IT ON FOX 2's Facebook page

Police aren't sure what caused the crash, which only involved their vehicle. It appears the vehicle may have lost control for some reason before hitting a pole. A witness told police the driver didn't seem to be speeding. 

Detroit Police Chief James Craig identified the officer killed as 27-year-old James Hearn. The Detroit Police Officer spent just four and a half years on the force before the crash.

"We lose a lot of the good ones. James was the ultimate community police officer," Craig said.

Craig said Hearn was assigned to the 12th precinct and excelled in just a few short years. Earlier this year, Hearn was honored for saving someone's life when he went into a burning building.

Craig did not identify the woman in the car but did say she is Hearn's girlfriend.

""We do have a witness who witnessed the accident, a transit sergeant, but aside from that all we can go on is what he told us. He said the car didn't seem like it was speeding, seemed like it was going 40 mph and the accident occurred. So, that's all we have right now," says Detroit Police Capt. Darrell Patterson.

The crash happened around 345: a.m. at Woodward State Fair avenues. Woodward has been closed at Seven Mile Road for several hours for the investigation. 

Craig said they are unsure if seatbelts were used but did say two airbags did deploy.

Craig called the accident tragic and said his department is still working to determine the cause of the crash.