Investigations into the fatal crash on Schoenherr are ongoing

The investigation was ongoing as of Oct. 1 into an early morning crash between a Warren police SUV and a Dodge Durango that left two men dead and two Warren officers hospitalized.

Warren police confirmed the identities of the victims – 34-year-old Cedric Hayden and 33-year-old DeJuan Pettis – who died after the white Durango they were traveling in was struck by a police SUV around 5 p.m was traveling south on Schoenherr Road. The Durango was attempting to turn west from Schoenherr onto Prospect Avenue when it was struck, according to police.

The impact sent the Durango off the road, where it ended up on its side with obvious side impact damage. The front end of the Warren police SUV was destroyed in the collision.

Both Warren officers suffered serious injuries. According to police, the officer in the passenger seat had to be extricated by the Warren Fire Department and suffered serious injuries, including multiple broken bones and head trauma. According to police, the officer underwent extensive surgery on Monday.

“Our sole officer was discharged from hospital this morning (October 1). Our other officer is still in the intensive care unit with multiple injuries,” said Acting Warren Police Commissioner Charles Rushton.

According to the commissioner, the names of the injured officers are not being released at this time.

As of Oct. 1, while many details of the crash remained unclear and under investigation, Warren police issued a media release to confirm what a spokesperson had previously said.

“At no time were these officers pursuing the white Dodge Durango or any other vehicle when the accident occurred,” the release said. “While a business burglary and vehicle pursuit did indeed occur at a nearby business within hours of this accident, investigators are confident that Hayden and Pettis were not suspects in any business burglary currently under investigation by the Warren Police Department.”

“In addition, investigators are confident that the Dodge was legally registered to Pettis and therefore was not considered or investigated as a stolen vehicle,” the police news release said.

The Warren Police Department confirmed that the Macomb County Sheriff's Office is conducting an independent investigation and will release its findings upon completion of that investigation.

Call staff writer Gena Johnson at (586) 498-1098.