Man accused of drunken driving in death of Gary Lillie returns to court next week

By Kyle Feldscher Crime and courts reporter

Posted on Sat, Jun 23, 2012 : 5:57 a.m.

The man accused of striking veterans advocate Gary Lillie with his car while driving drunk last year returns to court next week for a pre-trial hearing.

Kevin Warren

Kevin Warren faces one charge each of operating a vehicle while intoxicated causing death and leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death for the Aug. 4 incident that killed Lillie.

Warren will face a final pretrial hearing at 1:30 p.m. June 28 in front of Washtenaw County Trial Court Judge David Swartz. His jury trial is scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m. July 9 in Swartz’s courtroom.

Warren is accused of hitting Lillie with his Chevrolet Avalanche as he drove down Marshall Road near Baker Road in Scio Township. The Avalanche was traveling between 34 and 42 miles per hour when it struck Lillie, killing him almost instantly, according to testimony at an October preliminary exam.

Tests after the accident showed Warren’s blood alcohol level was at .12, above the .08 legal limit. A video played at the preliminary exam showed Warren telling police officers he dropped his cellphone in his vehicle and was reaching for it when he felt the Avalanche strike something.

Originally thinking it was a deer, Warren said he drove home and then returned to the scene to find Lillie in a ditch, police testified.

John Shea, Warren’s attorney, filed a motion earlier this year to quash evidence related to the blood alcohol level test results, records show. Swartz denied that motion and the evidence can be used at trial, according to court records.

Warren is currently free on bond.

Tags: Gary Lillie