Man Charged In Ford Rd. Crash That Injured Dearborn Teen: Police

DEARBORN, MI — A Dearborn man has been charged in connection with a crash that seriously injured a 15-year-old Fordson High School girl last month, according to police.

As of Friday, the 15-year-old girl was still in critical condition, according to police.

Mahdi Bitar, 19, was charged with one felony count of reckless driving causing serious impairment. He was placed in jail with a bond set at $50,000 with 10 percent. His next court date is scheduled for Jan. 22.

If convicted, he faces up to five years in prison.

The crash happened on the morning of Dec. 20 at the intersection of Ford and Schaefer roads in Dearborn, according to police.

Police said the 15-year-old girl was legally crossing Ford Road at the intersection when a speeding Jeep Grand Cherokee that was moving west hit her.

Investigators determined through camera footage that the driver of the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Bitar, sped through a red light before striking the girl, according to police.

Additionally, the Jeep Grand Cherokee had an illegal window tint on the front windshield, dangerously obscuring the driver's vision, according to police.

"We will continue to hold individuals accountable for reckless and dangerous driving behavior on our roads that too often puts innocent lives at risk. While road safety remains our top priority, and we work through both enforcement and traffic-calming measures, we continue to implore the community, especially families and family members, to have serious conversations with young drivers about safe driving habits," Dearborn Police Chief Issa Shahin said.