A police officer from the Detroit suburbs has been charged with manslaughter following a tragic collision that resulted in the deaths of two individuals. The charges against Officer James Burke were officially filed on Friday, almost two months after the incident occurred early in the morning on September 30.

Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham expressed condolences regarding the impact of the crash, stating that the thoughts of the department are with the victims’ families during this challenging period. He hopes the conclusion of the investigation will provide some degree of closure and healing for those affected.

The sheriff’s office reported that Officer Burke, aged 28, was traveling at a high speed when his patrol vehicle collided with a Dodge Durango that was making a left turn at an intersection. The accident claimed the lives of 34-year-old Cedric Hayden Jr. and his longtime friend, 33-year-old DeJuan Pettis. Burke, along with another officer who was with him, sustained injuries in the crash.

In addition to manslaughter, Burke faces two misdemeanor charges. His defense attorney, Marc Curtis, characterized Burke as a highly trained and decorated officer who was fulfilling his duty to protect the community at the time of the accident. He described the incident as unfortunate and indicated that both parties contributed to the circumstances leading to the crash.

Curtis, who frequently represents law enforcement officers, did not provide further details regarding the case. Burke made an appearance in 37th District Court and was released without the requirement of posting bail, as the legal proceedings move forward.