A Detroit man convicted of manslaughter for the death of an Oakland County grandmother in a crash while fleeing police at excessive speeds was sentenced to prison time on Thursday.
The Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office said Anthony Eugene-Douglas Grier Jr. was sentenced by Macomb County Circuit Court Judge Matthew P. Sabaugh to 10-15 years for involuntary manslaughter and a concurrent 10-15 years for first-degree fleeing police.
Killed in the crash was 72-year-old Wendy Drew, who had just left her husband’s 75th birthday party in Hazel Park.
“Today’s sentence holds the defendant accountable for the reckless and irresponsible decisions that took a woman’s life,” County Prosecutor Peter Lucido said in a news release. “While no sentence can undo the devastating loss her family has endured, I hope they can find some measure of comfort in knowing that justice has been served and that the defendant will spend many years in prison for his actions.”
Grier, 34, was acquitted charges of second-degree murder, first-degree fleeing police, and resisting arrest after his three-day trial in July.
The convictions stem from a 2025 crash at Nine Mile Road and Van Dyke Avenue in Warren.
Warren officers had attempted to stop Grier in a Chrysler 300 for traveling north on Van Dyke between 12 Mile and 13 Mile roads at 72 mph, nearly double the speed limit. He fled in the vehicle and over the course of more than 8 miles and 6 minutes reached a speed of over 115 mph, drove through a half-dozen red lights, weaved in and out of traffic, drove onto the sidewalk for short distance.
Gier continued north past 15 Mile and reversed course at a turnaround, when he drove onto the sidewalk in front of the auto plant there, and headed east.
Drew was driving a blue Pontiac Torrent east through the intersection when her vehicle was struck. Grier’s vehicle slide eastward and crashed into a Jeep Cherokee driven by Tanasha Willis, who was not injured.
Grier fled on foot but was quickly caught by officers.
Wendy Drew is shown at her birthday party.
IMAGE FOR COURTROOM PHOTO
Grier’s attorney, Josh Van Laan, said after the trial that he told the jury there was not enough evidence for second-degree because he merely committed traffic violations, and that Grier fled “out of genuine fear.” He said Grier was warranted in his fear, saying that he was assaulted by an arresting officer.
Drew had five children and 23 grandchildren, according to her family.
The verdict prompted Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido to call for state senators to pass a bill that would provide a mandatory minimum sentence for offenders who flee police.
“This case also underscores the dangers created when individuals choose to flee from law enforcement. I again urge the Michigan legislature to establish mandatory minimum prison sentences for those who flee from police. There must be meaningful consequences for conduct that recklessly puts innocent lives at risk,” Lucido said.
Assistant Prosecuting Attorneys Richard Nelson and Paige Boll prosecuted the case.