FARMINGTON HILLS — The driver of a Chevy Blazer SUV involved in a wrong-way crash on Interstate 696 earlier this month has been charged with reckless driving causing death.
Richard Leon-Zghen, 26, of Florida, was arraigned March 20 in 47th District Court on the charge, three days after police took him into custody and a week after the crash killed an 81-year-old Detroit man.
Police said the preliminary investigation had suggested the driver at fault was the Detroit man, who was initially reported to be driving a white van eastbound on westbound I-696 near Halsted Road around 4:34 a.m., Friday, March 13 when the crash occurred.
However, “digital forensic evidence was identified during the course of the investigation that proved otherwise,” Farmington Hills Police Chief John Piggott said in a statement.
Leon-Zghen was taken into custody on March 17 after the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office authorized the reckless driving causing death charge, a 15-year felony.
“The defense team has not been provided any evidence to support the allegations against our client,” defense attorney Ellen Michaels said in an email. “We look forward to reviewing the evidence and fully expect the facts to come out through the legal process.”
Leon-Zghen remains in the Oakland County Jail on a $250,000 bond. His next court date is set for April 3.
Farmington Hills police continue to investigate the crash.
They ask anyone with information related to the crash to contact the Farmington Hills Police Command Desk at 248-871-2610.
Contact reporter Susan Bromley at sbromley@hometownlife.com
This article originally appeared on Hometownlife.com: Florida man charged in wrong-way crash that killed 81-year-old