Scio Township man charged in death of veterans advocate Gary Lillie

By Lee Higgins Crime and courts reporter

Posted on Sat, Aug 6, 2011 : 12:36 p.m.

Previous stories:

Gary Lillie remembered for his kindness, generosity in wake of fatal crash

Veterans advocate Gary Lillie killed by suspected drunken driver

A man investigators said was drunken driving when he struck and killed a pedestrian Thursday night in Scio Township is being held at the Washtenaw County Jail on a $25,000 bond, with the right to post 10 percent.

Kevin Ronald Warren, 43, of Scio Township, was arraigned this morning at the jail on charges of operating while intoxicated causing death and failing to stop at the scene of an accident resulting in death.

He is accused in the death of 70-year-old Gary Lillie of Scio Township, a real estate agent, advocate for veterans and host of a weekly AM broadcast program called Veterans Radio.

Veterans advocate Gary Lillie was killed Thursday night while walking in Scio Township.

courtesy photo

Washtenaw County sheriff’s deputies said Warren was traveling east on Marshall Road in a sport utility vehicle about 11:30 p.m. Thursday when he struck and killed Lillie who was walking in the same direction. Lillie was thrown into a ditch.

Investigators said Warren left the scene and went home. After he arrived at home, he called 911, then returned to the scene of the accident near Baker Road, where witnesses were with Lillie.

At the arraignment, Warren's attorney, Dennis Hayes, said Warren is a lifelong resident of the county who works as a plumbing equipment salesman. Warren has no criminal record and his mother, ex-wife and son live in the area, Hayes said.

Hayes told Magistrate Thomas Truesdell that Warren made the initial 911 call and returned to the scene.

Truesdell said prosecutors requested a $25,000 cash or surety bond. He set bond at $25,000, with the right to post 10 percent, meaning Warren must pay $2,500 to get out of jail.

If convicted, Warren faces a maximum of 15 years in prison on each charge. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Aug. 16.

(This story was revised to correct information regarding the arrest of the suspect.)