19-Year-Old Charged in Deadly Detroit Crash

Prosecutors say the man was driving over twice the speed limit when he ran a red light and struck another vehicle, killing a 9-year-old girl.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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A 19-year-old man has been charged with reckless driving causing death, reckless driving causing serious impairment, and other offenses after a crash in Detroit that killed a 9-year-old girl and injured a 53-year-old woman. Prosecutors say the man was driving around 70 mph in a 30 mph zone and ran a red light before striking the other vehicle.

Why it matters

This tragic incident highlights the dangers of reckless driving and the devastating impact it can have on a community. It also raises questions about driver accountability and whether more can be done to prevent such crashes, especially in urban areas with high pedestrian traffic.

The details

According to prosecutors, Gregory Bester Louis Austin was driving on the Southfield Freeway Service Drive last Friday around 9:30 p.m. when he ran a red light at the intersection of Tireman Avenue, striking the passenger side of an eastbound vehicle. Diallo, a 9-year-old girl, was killed in the crash, and a 53-year-old woman was injured and taken to the hospital.

  • The crash happened last Friday around 9:30 p.m.
  • Austin's next court date is scheduled for March 11.

The players

Gregory Bester Louis Austin

A 19-year-old man charged with reckless driving causing death, reckless driving causing serious impairment, driving with a suspended license and causing a death, as well as driving with a suspended license and causing a serious injury.

Fatoumatu Diallo

A 9-year-old girl who was killed in the crash.

53-year-old woman

The other victim in the crash who was injured and taken to the hospital.

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What’s next

The judge will decide on Austin's bond at his next court hearing on March 11.

The takeaway

This tragic crash serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of safe and responsible driving, especially in urban areas with high pedestrian traffic. It underscores the need for stricter enforcement and harsher penalties for reckless driving to help prevent such senseless loss of life.