2 Teens Arrested In Walled Lake Crash That Killed Teen Girl: Sheriff

WALLED LAKE, MI — Two teens were arrested Friday in connection to a Walled Lake crash that killed one and injured five others in March, the Oakland County Sheriff's Office announced.

A 15-year-old boy from West Bloomfield, was charged with one count of first-degree fleeing from a police officer, two counts of second-degree fleeing from a police officer and a misdemeanor charge of leaving the scene of a personal injury accident.

Officials did not release his name because he is a juvenile. He was placed in the Oakland County Children's Village.

A conviction on the first-degree fleeing charge – the most serious of the offenses – carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison.

Gavin Anthony Kassab, 19, of Commerce Township, was charged with first-degree fleeing from a police officer, two counts of second-degree fleeing from a police officer.

Kassab was placed in the Oakland County Jail with a $250,000 cash bond. If he posts bond, he has to wear a GPS tether, submit to alcohol and random drug testing and stay away from the victim’s family and any witnesses.

"This was a horrific and completely preventable tragedy and both individuals should be held fully
accountable," Sheriff Michael Bouchard said. "I am proud of all the work our team did building this case, even including DNA evidence."

On March 22, police said the 15-year-old was driving a 2023 Jeep Gladiator that ran a red light while fleeing police and slammed into two vehicles near the intersection at Maple Road near Decker roads in Walled Lake.

The 15-year-old and Kassab, who was a passenger in the Jeep, ran away from the crash, officials said.

The Gladiator smashed into a 2010 Honda Fit near the intersection, killing a 13-year-old Commerce Township girl and seriously injuring her 51-year-old mother and 10-year-old sister, officials said.

The mother and her two daughters were taken to a nearby hospital, where the 13-year-old died, officials said.

The 10-year-old sister, who was ejected from the car, and the mother were later released from the hospital, police said.

The Gladiator also hit a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox that a 43-year-old Commerce Township resident was driving with a 10-year-old passenger at the intersection, officials said.

They were both treated for their injuries and were released Wednesday night, officials said. Police said they were both wearing their seatbelts.

The impact from the Honda hit a 2023 Cadillac STX, which was stopped at the light at the intersection, officials said.

The driver of the Cadillac STX, a 58-year-old Commerce Township woman, was treated and released from the hospital, officials said. Police said she was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.