Attorney: Resolution close for man accused in fatal drunken driving crash

By Kyle Feldscher Crime and courts reporter

Posted on Thu, Oct 18, 2012 : 5:24 p.m.

The man accused of hitting and killing Gary Lillie while driving drunk last year is expected to reach a resolution in his court case in two weeks.

Kevin Warren

Kevin Warren was in court for another final pretrial hearing Thursday afternoon. John Shea, his attorney, told Washtenaw County Trial Court Judge David Swartz negotiations continue for a resolution to the case before trial.

Warren is charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated causing death and leaving the scene of an accident causing death. If convicted, he faces a maximum of 15 years in prison.

According to police, Warren hit Lillie with his Chevrolet Avalanche late on Aug. 4, 2011 on Marshall Road near Baker Road in Scio Township. Testimony given at a preliminary exam last year showed Warren’s vehicle was traveling between 34 and 42 miles per hour at the time of the incident.

During tapes played at the preliminary exam, Warren admitted to drinking before the collision. Blood tests showed Warren’s blood alcohol level was at 0.12 after the crash, well above Michigan’s legal limit of 0.08.

The court proceedings in the case have continued for more than a year, including having a trial date delayed three times. Dates have been set for April, July and earlier this month.

Shea requested two more weeks to finalize the resolution with Washtenaw County Assistant Prosecutor Brenda Taylor. Warren will be back in court at 3:30 p.m. Nov. 1 for a final pretrial hearing.

Shea is involved in the Kwame Kilpatrick corruption trial in Detroit and asked Swartz to set a later time for the hearing instead of the typical 1:30 p.m. start for the trial court docket.

Warren is currently free on bond.

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