Wayne County Prosecutor declines to charge drivers in Karon Gardner death
Karon Gardner's mother says the 11-year-old was hit by two cars on Oct. 17, and the first driver left the scene.
By Ricardo Alvarez ·
The Wayne County Prosecutor's Office will not file charges against the two drivers involved in the death of 11-year-old Karon Gardner. His mother, Dominique Woods, learned the decision recently. The accident occurred on Oct. 17 at an intersection on Puritan Street in Detroit. A funeral procession passed the site on Saturday. It included a horse-drawn carriage.
Woods explained the prosecutor's reasoning. The office stated that Gardner was standing on the yellow lines when the first vehicle struck him. She said she finds it difficult to understand the ruling. She noted that the first driver, a woman, drove around the block before stopping. The distance was several miles. Woods argued that this behavior warrants charges regardless of traffic conditions.
The second driver remained at the scene. She apologized to the family. Woods described the driver as a woman in her 20s. She said she forgave the second driver at the intersection. Woods said she has not yet heard from this driver since the accident. She remains angry about the lack of charges against either woman.
Machelle Pearson witnessed the collision. She was holding Gardner's hand when he died. She said she still sees the image in her mind. Pearson lives nearby and watches the intersection daily. She sees many children playing in the park across the street. There is a liquor store on the corner.
Pearson wants physical changes to the road. She wants speed humps installed. She also wants cameras and light-up stop signs. She said the area needs better traffic control for the safety of local youth. Woods said the family will continue to push for change. She will not stop until she feels justice has been done.
Gardner was 11 years old. He liked the Detroit Lions. He wanted to design shoes. He is now buried. The memorials near the park remain. The intersection is unchanged.
Woods said she will miss her son asking for things. She will miss him rubbing her feet. The community sent letters and notes. She appreciated the support. The decision ends the criminal case against the two drivers.
