DETROIT (AP) 鈥 A suburban Detroit police officer whose patrol car smashed into another vehicle, killing two men, was charged Friday with manslaughter.
Charges against Warren Officer James Burke were filed nearly two months after the 5 a.m. crash.
鈥淥ur thoughts remain with those whose lives were impacted by this tragic crash,鈥 Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham said. 鈥淲e hope the conclusion of this investigation begins to bring a sense of closure and healing as they continue to navigate this difficult time.鈥
Burke, 28, was driving southbound at a 鈥渉igh rate of speed鈥 when his police car struck a Dodge Durango that was turning left at an intersection on Sept. 30, the sheriff's office said.
Cedric Hayden Jr., 34, and longtime pal DeJuan Pettis, 33, were killed. Burke and another officer were injured.
Burke was charged with manslaughter and two misdemeanors. Defense attorney Marc Curtis said Burke is a 鈥渉ighly decorated, highly trained officer鈥 who was working to protect the public when the crash happened.
鈥淭his is an unfortunate incident,鈥 Curtis told The Associated Press. 鈥淚t's a result of actions on both sides. As the facts and circumstances come out around this case, it will help demonstrate why Officer Burke was doing what he did.鈥
Curtis, who often represents police officers, didn't elaborate.
Burke appeared in 37th District Court and was released without having to post bond.
