Teen dead after fleeing MSP on ATV in Detroit

DETROIT (WJBK) - A teenager is dead after a pursuit with Michigan State Police on Detroit's east side Saturday.

The crash happened at approximately 5:30 p.m. Saturday on Rossini Drive near Gratiot Avenue. The family says they were watching 15-year-old Demond Grimes ride his four wheeler down the street when they say a trooper approached trying to pull the teen over.

According to Michigan State Police, a trooper attempted to stop the ATV with lights and sirens, but the driver refused to stop, leading to a pursuit. 

MSP pursued the ATV east on Rossini Drive toward Gratiot Avenue and according to police, the driver of the ATV attempted to drive off the roadway, but lost control and crashed into the back of a pickup truck.

However, the family has a different story.

"They ran into the back of him, made him fly off his bike, onto a truck and killed him. The state trooper who actually hit him actually pulled off and left. We're not getting answers from no one," said the victim's aunt, Kimberly Powell.

But, according to police, the troopers immediately began first aid on the driver until EMS arrived on scene. The teen was transported to St. John Hospital and was pronounced dead at the hospital.

According to the family, the teen was killed instantly.

The victim's family says Grimes was a good kid.

"He was an awesome kid, a gentleman, a sweetheart, a lovely young man," said his sister Dezanique Grimes.

"He was getting good grades, he wasn't out here doing anything wrong - but what all teenagers have been doing lately - riding those two wheelers or four wheelers. It's not fair, he's only 15 and now his life is gone over a bike," said Powell.