Ypsilanti Township man charged in fatal accident has history of drunken and reckless driving, court records show
A man now charged with second-degree murder in a fatal five-car crash in Ypsilanti Township on Tuesday has been convicted three times of operating while intoxicated and is prohibited from drinking because he's on probation for a 2008 assault conviction, records show.
Bradley Wayne Howard, 34, of Ypsilanti Township, also hasn't had a valid driver's license since 2003, police say.
Howard faces numerous charges in connection with the 4:40 p.m. crash at the intersection of Ecorse and Harris roads. The crash killed 32-year-old Stephanie Joyce Stone of Canton Township and injured her two children.
Bradley Wayne Howard
Howard is being held without bond at the Washtenaw County Jail after being arraigned this afternoon in 14A District Court in front of Judge Julie Creal. He also is charged with operating while intoxicated causing death, operating while intoxicated causing serious injury, driving with a suspended license causing death, driving with a suspended license causing serious injury, operating while intoxicated, operating with a suspended license, failure to stop at an accident causing death, failure to stop at an accident causing serious injury and having an open intoxicant in a motor vehicle.
According to investigators, Howard sped through a residential neighborhood in a 1995 Ford Mustang and pulled onto Ecorse Road, traveling east at 60 miles per hour in a 35 mile per hour zone. A concerned citizen was following him, Washtenaw County Assistant Prosecutor Paul Barnett said in court.
Howard ran a red light, investigators say, and his vehicle struck a 2002 Ford Taurus that was then pushed into three other vehicles. The Taurus was traveling north on Harris Road and had a green light, deputies say.
There's no evidence to suggest Howard applied his brakes or attempted to slow his vehicle down, Barnett said.
Stone, who was driving the Taurus, died at the scene. Her 13-year-old son, who was a front-seat passenger in her car, suffered head trauma and a ruptured diaphragm, Barnett said. He remains in intensive care at the University of Michigan Hospital.
Washtenaw County Sheriff's Deputy Robert Losey said in court that Howard got out of the Mustang after the collision and walked about 250 yards before being apprehended. Howard admitted he drank at least seven 24-ounce alcoholic beverages prior to the accident, Barnett said.
After the arraignment, Sgt. David Archer said Howard told deputies he consumed the drinks during the day, but was not more specific. Deputies executed a search warrant to obtain a blood sample from Howard after the crash to determine his blood alcohol level. Results are expected to be available in a couple of weeks, Archer said.
Barnett also said in court Howard had prescription drugs in his system, including Vicodin and Xanax. Howard, who has nine children and was injured in the crash, appeared in court in a wheelchair. He did not say anything during the hearing.
He also has convictions for reckless driving, careless driving and driving with a suspended license, Barnett said.
According to state Department of Corrections records, Howard was on probation at the time of the crash. He was convicted in 2008 of assault with a dangerous weapon and carrying a weapon with unlawful intent. He was sentenced by Washtenaw County Circuit Judge Archie Brown to three years of probation, court records show.
One of the conditions of Howard's probation was that he not consume alcohol, records show. He also was required to complete the "Catholic Social Services Alternative to Domestic Aggression Program," but was permitted to stop attending classes after a doctor gave him a note showing he had "weakness in both legs and nerve damage," records show.
Those records indicate Howard was convicted in the assault case after he kicked in a door at his home and got into an argument with a man who came over to fix it. Records say Howard and two other men beat the victim with baseball bats, leaving him covered in blood. The victim was hospitalized after the attack, records say.
Tuesday's crash wasn't the first time Howard allegedly drove recklessly in a Ford Mustang, court records show. On Sept. 13, 2001, deputies allege Howard violated a personal protection order obtained against him by the mother of several of his children.
She was traveling southbound on MacArthur Boulevard in Superior Township when he was traveling in the northbound lane with one of his children in a back seat, a sheriff's department report says. He pulled the Mustang into her lane and "at the last second she had no choice but to pull off on the right shoulder of the road," the report says.
Howard is scheduled to return to court for a preliminary hearing in the latest case on Nov. 10.
Lee Higgins covers crime and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached by phone at (734) 623-2527 and e-mail at leehiggins@annarbor.com.
Comments
Julius
Sat, Dec 18, 2010 : 2:07 p.m.
So what was his BAC? Not that we'll ever know.
jns131
Sat, Oct 30, 2010 : 8:43 a.m.
If the guy just got out of prison and had a ford mustang, this guy had money to burn. Those things are not cheap. The family can technically take him to the cleaners. This guy will be out again in a few years. Prohibited from drinking. Uh, huh. Are we going to put his face on a liquor bottle and say don't serve? We really need pictures of these drunk drivers to every liquor and bar place to let them know they cannot serve these people. People will continue to die because people like this continue serve people who continue to drink when they know they should not. O by the way, the person or persons and place who served him alcohol? Can be sued and held negligent. Just a thought. Good luck to the family. As for burial expenses? $1750 is enough to cremate a body, nothing else. I know. I had to pay that for my fathers remains.
Sallyxyz
Sat, Oct 30, 2010 : 7:43 a.m.
This guy never should have been out on the streets and roads. Why was he not behind bars for the vicious assault he committed on the man who came to fix his door (after he kicked it in)? In addition to his long list of prior arrests, this guy consumed 168 ounces of alcohol before getting into a car that killed an innocent woman and injured her children. He is a parasite in society and needs to be put away for life. He was given far too many chances in a justice system that seems to protect the criminals rather than the innocent members of the public.
Denise
Sat, Oct 30, 2010 : 7:28 a.m.
Oh yeah my husband wants him to be charged with failure to obey a traffic signal as well as all the other charges!! I forgot that when he ran the lady off the road he also violated a PPO that was in place at that time. Now we have to pay to house and feed this guy everyday while he's in prison, doesn't seem fair to me :/
j bredell
Sat, Oct 30, 2010 : 3:39 a.m.
Even though she had no life insurance, her no fault carrier will pay to her survivor's the income she would have brought into the family. Aslo, there is typically money available for a funeral, paid at least in part by the no fault carrier. Call the auto insurance carrier. I hope this helps!
karenk
Fri, Oct 29, 2010 : 11:58 p.m.
I truly feel for the family, because this guy SHOULD HAVE NOT BEEN DRIVING AT ALL. Before getting into the accident he could have injured someone in my neighborhood, because he sped by my house and could have injured children riding bikes or people getting into their cars. I wish now I would have called police, but it would have already happened. I have kid's that wanted to play outside, what if the ball went into the road?? Question is why would someone that has NINE kid's be drunk at or before 4pm and how is he driving a car, yet who pays for the ins??? for it to be on the road??? I pray for the kid's and their family.
KathrynHahn
Fri, Oct 29, 2010 : 11:15 p.m.
@ roadman "Just looked up the Michigan No-Fault Automobile Act and MCL 500.3107(a) allows for funeral and burial expenses both to be covered in an amount of between $1,750 and $5,000 in the policy covering the decedent." Unfortunately, depending on the policy, it's more likely they'll receive the lesser amount, and having recently buried a loved one, funeral expenses can easily exceed $10,000 by simply choosing a casket and having a viewing/service. Having children involved, and her being so young, the cardboard coffin and/or instant cremation with no service is probably not an option. My condolences to the family.
Mike
Fri, Oct 29, 2010 : 6:24 p.m.
@pluto77 again why post this here? What is Dingell going to do that he should of done YEARS ago. Incumbents have to go. Oh wait he did bring that nice pork belly spending in to build that train. WOW! What a joke!
pluto77
Fri, Oct 29, 2010 : 5:56 p.m.
There's only one person who can save us from monsters like this! John Dingell will make sure we get the tax dollars that are so desperately needed to hire more government employees like police and social workers, and substance abuse counselers, and make car companies build cars that can't be driven when you're drunk. Stop the Tea Party or we will all perish in a capitalist free market holocaust.
alvin dunn
Fri, Oct 29, 2010 : 5:22 p.m.
I am very sadden by this it shows what happen.When people drink anddrive. Why was this man even behind the wheel. May stephine RIP and lets all pray for the chidern and family. I hope are justice system doesn"t fail us and let this man back on our streets to kill another person. He should spend a good portin of the rest of his life behind bars. He took a life A mother from her childern, so I don"t feel he should be free for a very long time
Mike
Fri, Oct 29, 2010 : 5:07 p.m.
my condolences to the family @edward really bad taste to bring politics in to this. Save it for yahoo comments What is really sad this guy might get 10 years for this. If he had used a gun he would of gotten life. Go figure.
YpsiBronc
Fri, Oct 29, 2010 : 4:43 p.m.
@somewhat concerned, We feel better knowing that someone does not talk, smile or laugh on a cell phone when working. Now lets figure out how to take care of the perpetrator's nine children while he is locked up. Although I would imagine that we already have been in one form or another.
John
Fri, Oct 29, 2010 : 3:30 p.m.
@somewhat concerned... also, 3rd DUI in MI is a FELONY - which is PRISON... 4th would also be a FELONY which = PRISON... second degree murder = PRISON, in fact almost every charge he was arraigned on is a FELONY... which means, YUP, you guessed it..... PRISON. The police aren't responsible for this. Whoever failed to do their job as a prosecutor, or a judge who was too lenient may be somewhat to blame.... depending on why this idiot was not in prison for the 3rd DUI and the assault convictions. He may have already served his time and it's business as usual, but ultimately, if you want to cast blame on ANYONE... cast it on him.. he did it... no one is put on this earth to be his keeper.
mb20fan
Fri, Oct 29, 2010 : 3:20 p.m.
This is one of those case`s we need a Death penelty for.If you take a life in any way that should be what happens to the killer.This goes for anyone that does rape kid molesters.Sorry it`s just my opinion.Like they allways what`s it going to take to lock this guy up a death.
John
Fri, Oct 29, 2010 : 3:18 p.m.
@somewhat concerned: Yes, he IS going to go to jail, and for a LONG time. I am not understanding why he wasn't in jail to this point yet, but there's no escaping this time.... too many charges, and he is getting NO sympathy from any Washtenaw County Judge...that much I know.
Woman in Ypsilanti
Fri, Oct 29, 2010 : 2:10 p.m.
Really? Police officers allow citizens to observe them in such a way? That is awesome if they do although I am confident enough with the City of Ypsilanti police officers that I wouldn't feel a need for that. The City of Ypsilanti has the best police officers I've ever had to deal with. But even so, I can't imagine that they are able to catch every single drunk who drives through town. Still, I see them patrolling and I know they catch as many as they can.
Are you serious?
Fri, Oct 29, 2010 : 12:39 p.m.
This was a tragedy no doubt. However, blaming everyone from the cops to the judges is misguided. Society has decided that drinking and driving is OK and we are willing to accept these kinds of tragedies. All the talk about locking them up and throwing away the key is fine - but how many of you making that statement are willing to pay the higher taxes necessary to build more prisons?\ @somewhat concerned: You may not realize it but you and any member of the public can go on a ride-along with most all police agencies. I suggest you consider that so you can get a little bit of first hand knowledge to what police officers do. Then come back on these boards and let us know how well you think they do the job.
Cyndi
Fri, Oct 29, 2010 : 12:13 p.m.
A2...it says 7 - 24oz containers of alcohol. Doesn't necessary mean beer. Could be those 12% Lokos. Just one of those is enough to make you loopy. Seven would make you face down drunk.
A2
Fri, Oct 29, 2010 : 11:15 a.m.
7 beers before he drove! He should get the same punishment as if he walked up to that woman and shot her with a gun! Such a sad story... my heart goes out for the family especially the children.
Fat Bill
Fri, Oct 29, 2010 : 11:03 a.m.
A lengthy stay in one of our several medium to maximum security institutions will likely give this dude plenty of time to get clean. Doesn't help the victims any...
Somewhat Concerned
Fri, Oct 29, 2010 : 10:15 a.m.
Perhaps someone from AAPD can tell us whether officers are supposed to use cell phones for official communication. I have no idea who anyone talking on a cell phone is talking to. You often see cops talking on them and laughing and smiling, so if it is official business they're talking about, it is pretty amusing stuff. I suspect we equip patrol cars with computer and secure communications gear, but let's hear from someone who actually knows. I will say this, if I saw airline pilots in the air talking on cell phones and someone said they might be talking to air traffic control, I would wonder about it.
PEG LEG
Fri, Oct 29, 2010 : 10:07 a.m.
I wonder why so many people criticize the officers on their cell phones, do we know who they are talking to or what the conversation is about? I think there are a number of police scanners in homes and some autos. Do we really want the bad guy, who is listing to his scanner, to know the police are waiting for him to make an appearance so he could be arrested? We see them sitting in their cars talking, I think they can watch a object better sitting still than trying to watch and drive at the same time. Lets not put the blame on the police, they do their job very well in Ann Arbor,police officers can not decide how long a person stays in Jail.
PaperTigerSaline
Fri, Oct 29, 2010 : 10:01 a.m.
WHAT does it take to get a law passed that says, THE FIRST TIME you are caught drunk driving and convicted, it's a mandatory 1 year in jail - NO EXCEPTIONS - and a $10,000 fine. Period. No exceptions. The drunk driving laws are NOT tough enough, period. Should not matter if it's your first time. Period. Does anyone even KNOW what the laws say, or is it always just up to the discretion of the judge? If that's the case, then that's a whole other set of issues that are also wrong.
SpartyInExile
Fri, Oct 29, 2010 : 9:24 a.m.
Another opportunity to voice Walmart Wolverine indignation. FYI, Rucker was not convicted of drunk driving. It is up to the judicial system to determine appropriate punishment. And to think he had special treatment is specious. The is a big difference between a fender bender in a 7-11 parking lot and what this cretin committed.
Cash
Fri, Oct 29, 2010 : 9:04 a.m.
I believe it is OUR responsibility to set the acceptance for excessive drinking. Police can only follow the lead we set. This case is an extreme....but there are cases where people you'd consider good folks drink too much once in a while. Where do we draw the line between fun and games and too much alcohol? Look at MSU's Rucker....drunk driving (already on probation) and he serves 8 days in jail, gets out and joins the state tax supporter college football team (on full scholarship) the same day! A nice reward....for behavior that can kill.
Somewhat Concerned
Fri, Oct 29, 2010 : 8:48 a.m.
Cops are paid when they work Thanksgiving. It's part of the job. If what we are paying them to do is ride around talking on cell phones and listening to the radio instead of paying attention to what is going on, then it's okay. I am fixated on having cops do what we pay them to do, not what is most fun for them to do.
Joe Citizen
Fri, Oct 29, 2010 : 8:40 a.m.
"When seconds count, the police are only minutes away..." This is so true in most cases. What is sad is that, in this case, the police were early... 3 times this guy was charged with drunk driving and his license was taken away. The police were early on this one but he was let out time and time again. The phrase "does someone have to die?" is so very true in our justice system. Go ahead and blame the cops but I think they've brought this guy in enough times that blame goes to him and whoever keeps letting guys like him out.
Bcar
Fri, Oct 29, 2010 : 8:17 a.m.
When seconds count, the police are only minutes away...
Joe Citizen
Fri, Oct 29, 2010 : 8:06 a.m.
@somewhat concerned Seem to be fixated on the cops having cell phones and loved ones to speak to them on. Maybe they are trying to make up for all the Thanksgivings, Christmas mornings, Birthdays and weekends they've missed with those loved ones because they were out trying to put guys like this away so they don't harm citizens like you and me. Sad thing is no matter how much they try, Judges and Governors keep letting them out. Some Cops even listen to the FM radio in their warm cars too! Can you believe it?
SpartyInExile
Fri, Oct 29, 2010 : 7:23 a.m.
That's quite a history he has amassed in his short life. Three years of probation for felonious assault. Domestic violence. Reckless driving with a child in the car. Why was this guy not doing time? Who was the physician that determined he was not fit enough to attend a domestic violence program (but able to drive a car and walk away from a serious accident)?
Somewhat Concerned
Fri, Oct 29, 2010 : 7:22 a.m.
They are not going to lock the guy up and throw away the key. If he does any time, he will get out early and soon because of his "good behavior" and claims to be have been rehabilitated. I will believe that more money for more cops will make our lives safer when I see the cops already on the payroll do something other than keep themselves warm in their patrol cars, talking and laughing on their phones.
Jimmy McNulty
Fri, Oct 29, 2010 : 7:21 a.m.
@somewhatconcerned, please do not place the onus of catching every drunk driver on police as it is unreasonable. My condolences to the family of the victims.
Killroy
Fri, Oct 29, 2010 : 7:18 a.m.
Can't blame to Police who are tasked with enforcing the laws made by the folks in Lansing. No, this tragedy is the fault of our inept lawmakers who still have not figured out that DUI crimes are still a huge problem in the state of "denial" Michigan. We need far tougher laws to lock away folks like Bradley Wayne Howard. Clearly, he is a habitual offender and too dangerous to be allowed to roam free. In this upcoming election I urge you all to make your vote count and get rid of the 'soft' on crime politicians in Lansing and let us restore order and safety on Michigan roads in the memory of Stephanie Joyce Stone! Again, my condolences to the family.
Michael Fortner
Fri, Oct 29, 2010 : 7:04 a.m.
I went to school with Stephanie and she did not deserve this. This guy has had numerous chances and he still continues to hurt others. I hope they lock him and throw away the key so that he never gets out and does this to anyone else.
stevek
Fri, Oct 29, 2010 : 6:48 a.m.
I would like to know what job this winner has that lets him support 9 children. I also would like to know what gov't programs he participated in to receive free money he didn't deserve. 9 kids and a bridge card at the "right" store buys a lot of beer. Winner all around.
Julius
Fri, Oct 29, 2010 : 4:17 a.m.
Tax cuts have nothing to do with this. That's a completely separate issue. In fact, politicians who would tell us that they're cutting police and fire budgets in an effort to raise taxes share some responsibility for this kind of thing. If you must make budget cuts, emergency response and law enforcement are the last thing you look to. It's about priorities. Cases like this are why you can't play politics with the police.
kb
Fri, Oct 29, 2010 : 1:56 a.m.
Looks like this guy was given too many chances. People with substance abuse problems need harsher and strickter interventions from the courts so that tragic outcomes like this are prevented as much as possible. This story is absolutely heartbreaking concerning the surviving family and children.
Khadijah
Fri, Oct 29, 2010 : 1:55 a.m.
I hope he had insurance. If so, someone whould talk to a lawyer soon. May God help their family (Who is related to my dads friend). I can't emagine what its like. This is an outrage and we should do more to prevent this kind of catastrophy.
Deborah
Fri, Oct 29, 2010 : 12:28 a.m.
I have seen this guy driving around the area and I am glad he will never walk our streets again. I am heart broken someone had to die in order for him to be secured. I am sure the Judge took his kids into consideration when he only gave probation but he was way wrong. It is difficult to predict when an anti social personality like this ignorant POS turns deadly. The doctor prescribing the meds may have some culpability here as well. He will die in prison with any luck at all.
frank lucas
Fri, Oct 29, 2010 : 12:06 a.m.
he need 2 be locked up for what he did. at lest that one more drunk driver off the road that could of been me thank God it wasn't. i will keep the family in my pray's
Roadman
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 11:40 p.m.
@Page: Just looked up the Michigan No-Fault Automobile Act and MCL 500.3107(a) allows for funeral and burial expenses both to be covered in an amount of between $1,750 and $5,000 in the policy covering the decedent. This would come from the insurance policy sovering the vehicle Ms. Stone wqas driving. I hope this information is helpful.
Roadman
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 10:32 p.m.
No-fault automobile insurance covers burial expenses. It also covers survivors losses to dependents for loss of income due to the death of a family member. Contact your insurance agent or an attorney for more information.
edward
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 9:19 p.m.
If keep on with the tax cuts that seems to be what so many people are calling for and more deputys are cut we are going to read about these types of sad stories all for a average $150 per household in Ypsi twp
edward
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 9:12 p.m.
Results such as this one will be a common occurence if republicans such as tea Party Member's obtain victory and continue with the scheduled tax cuts as planned. Depleted law enforcement will be faced with the impossible task of cease and assisting a struggling city in need. We can't enjoy the fruits, without the labor.
AAJoker
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 8:52 p.m.
What a terrible tragedy for Stephanie's family, many thoughts for you in this time. As for the driver, I'm in absolute disbelief of our system and overall human nature. How can an irresponsible person like this have 9 kids? A true sign of the dumbing down in society.
Justice4all
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 8:28 p.m.
@Page, Thank you for the information. I will plan to support the family and will encourage others to do so.
Justice4all
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 8:27 p.m.
@somewhat concerned, Looks like the police arrested him numerous times before this horrific incident. I'm not sure it is on the officers that a man like this was out on the streets.
Somewhat Concerned
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 7:53 p.m.
Three or four nights a week, the streets of Ann Arbor are filled with drunk drivers who are not pulled over, and won't be until they kill someone. The police are too busy talking to their girl and boy friends on their cell phones to notice.
ypsicat
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 7:52 p.m.
A moment of silence, please.
Page
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 7:39 p.m.
Stephanie had no life insurance. Bill and his family is asking for the sake of the children... to be able to give Stephanie a proper funeral if anyone would like to make a donation no matter how little please send them to Stark Funeral Service, 101 S. Washington, Ypsilanti, MI 48197 c/o Stephanie Stone.