Driver charged with multiple felonies in fatal car crash

WARREN — A Warren man was arraigned in the 37th District Court on March 4 and charged with 15 felonies for allegedly driving while drunk, reckless driving and causing a fatal accident.

Xaiver Fuggerson, 33, of Warren was driving a silver Chevrolet Impala at approximately 1:45 a.m. on March 2, in the area of Groesbeck Highway north of Stephens Road. According to Warren police, the Impala was traveling southbound on Groesbeck racing next to a silver Chevrolet Tahoe. The drivers reportedly had been socializing at an area bar prior to the crash. Fuggerson’s Impala allegedly made contact with the Tahoe, which caused the Tahoe to roll over. The four occupants in the Tahoe were ejected, police said.

Warren police and firefighters were dispatched to the scene where the driver of the Tahoe, a 48-year-old Detroit man, was pronounced dead. The four passengers in the Tahoe were also from Detroit and transported to an area hospital where they remain in serious condition.

According to police, Fuggerson was not injured. He reportedly had a blood alcohol level nearly twice the legal limit and was arrested at the scene.

Fuggerson was charged with three felonies punishable up to 15 years: operating while intoxicated causing death, reckless driving causing death, and operating with a suspended license causing death. The other charges include four counts of operating while intoxicated causing serious injury, four counts of reckless driving causing serious injury and four counts of operating with a suspended license causing serious injury, felonies punishable up to five years.

Fuggerson entered a “not guilty” plea before Judge Suzanne Faunce, who set bond at $1 million cash or surety only. According to police, Fuggerson has previous felony convictions and has multiple open suspensions on his driver’s license for various traffic tickets.

“I do believe that the facts are going to show that he (Fuggerson) was not at all at fault for this accident,” said Fuggerson’s attorney, Robbie D. Lang. “I think it is pretty clear from what I have seen so far in terms of photographs, positions of the cars on the road, etc. It seems fairly clear to me that it was the driver of the Tahoe who caused the accident and ran into my client’s car.”

Fuggerson was in the Macomb County Jail ahead of a 9:30 a.m. March 14 probable cause conference before Judge John Chmura in the 37th District Court.

“We have one person deceased, four others seriously injured, and one person facing 15 very serious felony charges all for an incident which was completely preventable. Any time alcohol, plus excessive speeds, and racing are mixed together, the outcome is never positive,” Warren Police Commissioner William Dwyer said in a statement on March 2. “Our investigators are examining the events that led up to this unfortunate incident to see if there was any negligence or criminal activity on the establishment (where) this group was socializing just prior to this crash occurring.

“The fatality, serious injuries, and the serious yet appropriate charges issued in this case should serve as a reminder to all drivers to obey the speed limit and most importantly, drive sober,” Dwyer said.