A Michigan man has been charged with second-degree murder after authorities allege he drove drunk and over 90 mph down a busy interstate, slamming into a family of four who had pulled their disabled vehicle to the side of the road near Springfield Township.
Charles Dean Pace, 27, is accused of killing Zakeria Sharon Dodson, 23; Tieree Powell, 24; Nalani Powell, 3; and Karter Powell, 2, when he crashed his Ford F-250 into their Chrysler 300 on I-75 near East Holly Road, according to Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald.
Background
The family had been returning home from what authorities described as a day of taking their children swimming. They were traveling southbound on I-75 when something caused their Chrysler 300 to become disabled, forcing them to pull over to the side of the road.
According to prosecutors, Pace was also driving southbound on the same stretch of interstate at the time of the crash. Witnesses reported seeing his Ford F-250 weaving in and out of lanes and traveling over 90 mph before the collision.
"This family did everything right," McDonald said during the announcement of charges. "They pulled over to the side of the road when their vehicle became disabled. They were doing exactly what you are supposed to do."
Michigan State Police responded to the scene and discovered that Pace allegedly had a blood alcohol level more than three times the legal limit at the time of the crash.
The Investigation
Pace has been charged with four counts of second-degree murder and four counts of operating while intoxicated causing death. If convicted on all charges, he faces a potential sentence of life in prison.
"Zakeria, Tieree, Nalani and Karter did not die in an accident," McDonald stated. "They were murdered because of this defendant's alleged choices — to drive drunk, to drive fast and to drive recklessly — that created an obvious and unnecessary danger."
The prosecutor acknowledged that second-degree murder charges in cases involving alleged vehicular homicide are rare but emphasized her office's commitment to pursuing the most serious charges warranted by the evidence.
"We believe we can show the most extreme indifference to human life," McDonald said. "And that's what happened here — an egregious disregard for human life."
Pace was scheduled to be arraigned on the charges. His attorney had not yet entered a plea as of the time of reporting.
Key Takeaways
- Charles Dean Pace, 27, has been charged with four counts of second-degree murder and four counts of operating while intoxicated causing death
- The victims are Zakeria Sharon Dodson, 23; Tieree Powell, 24; Nalani Powell, 3; and Karter Powell, 2
- Prosecutors allege Pace was driving over 90 mph with a blood alcohol level more than three times the legal limit
- The family had pulled their disabled Chrysler 300 to the side of I-75 near East Holly Road in Springfield Township
- Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald called the deaths "murder," not an accident
What's Next
Pace faces an upcoming arraignment where he will enter pleas to all charges. The case is expected to proceed through Oakland County Circuit Court, where prosecutors have indicated they will pursue the maximum available sentences. A GoFundMe campaign has been established for the family.
"This family did not deserve what happened to them," McDonald said. "No family does."