Driver accused of crashing into tow truck, killing man on New Year’s Day

DETROIT – A Michigan man has been charged for causing a fatal crash while he was allegedly intoxicated.

De-L Alekshay-Makalo Wesley, 49, of Eastpointe was charged with reckless driving causing death, reckless driving causing serious impairment of a body function, operating while intoxicated causing death and operating while intoxicated causing serious injury, Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy announced.

The charges stem from a crash that occurred at the intersection of Hayes Street and Young Street in Detroit at 5:14 a.m. on New Year’s Day. The crash killed Dylan Bradford, 27, of Detroit, and injured a 35-year-old Inkster man.

Bradford had been involved in a previous crash at approximately 2:58 a.m. and was standing outside his vehicle when a tow truck arrived at 5 a.m.

It is alleged that Wesley was intoxicated, driving southbound on Hayes Street when he collided with the tow truck, causing the truck to shift and strike Bradford and the tow truck driver.

Medics arrived and pronounced Bradford dead at the scene. The tow truck driver and Wesley were transported to a local hospital for treatment.

“This is a very hard, but unfortunately not a surprising way to start the New Year. Lives will be changed forever,” Worthy said. “The evidence in this case will show that alcohol was involved when the defendant was driving. Now a man is dead, and another is seriously injured.”

Wesley was arraigned this week. Bond was set at $100,000. A probable cause conference is scheduled for Jan. 12.

Credits