Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido has announced that Austin Thorpe, 31, of Lapeer, has been arraigned on multiple felonies stemming from a 2025 Thanksgiving Day car crash that resulted in the death of Thorpe’s young daughter.
It is alleged that on Thursday, November 27, Thorpe was driving a 2011 Chevrolet Impala southbound on M-53 in Bruce Township.
It is further alleged that he failed to properly secure his 2-year-old son and 5-year-old daughter in the vehicle. While traveling southbound, Thorpe allegedly crossed through the center turn lane and collided head-on with a 2013 Chevrolet Impala traveling in the northbound lane.
Thorpe, his children, and the driver of the other vehicle were transported to Henry Ford Macomb Hospital. The 5-year-old child was later pronounced deceased.
Last Wednesday, Thorpe was arraigned before Judge Jennifer Andary in the 42-1 District Court in Romeo on the following charges:
Operating - While Intoxicated Causing Death, a 15-year felony
Operating - While Intoxicated Causing Serious Injury, a 5-year felony
Operating - While Intoxicated Causing Serious Injury, a 5-year felony
Child Abuse - 3rd Degree, a 2-year felony
Child Abuse - 3rd Degree, a 2-year felony
Moving Violation Causing Death, a 1-year misdemeanor
Moving Violation Causing Serious Impairment Of A Body Function, a 93-day misdemeanor
Moving Violation Causing Serious Impairment Of A Body Function, a 93-day misdemeanor
Felony - Commission With Motor Vehicle - Adult Advisory, Secretary of State driver’s license sanctions
Habitual Offender - 2nd Offense Notice, an aggravating sentencing factor
Andary set Thorpe’s bond at $500,000 cash or surety, with no 10% option. If released on bond, Thorpe must wear a SCRAM alcohol-monitoring tether, refrain from using alcohol, marijuana, or
any non-prescribed controlled substances, and is prohibited from operating a motor vehicle.
Andary also ordered Thorpe to have no contact with the victims or their families.
He is scheduled to appear at a probable cause conference on June 16.
It is alleged that on Thursday, November 27, Thorpe was driving a 2011 Chevrolet Impala southbound on M-53 in Bruce Township.
It is further alleged that he failed to properly secure his 2-year-old son and 5-year-old daughter in the vehicle. While traveling southbound, Thorpe allegedly crossed through the center turn lane and collided head-on with a 2013 Chevrolet Impala traveling in the northbound lane.
Thorpe, his children, and the driver of the other vehicle were transported to Henry Ford Macomb Hospital. The 5-year-old child was later pronounced deceased.
Last Wednesday, Thorpe was arraigned before Judge Jennifer Andary in the 42-1 District Court in Romeo on the following charges:
Operating - While Intoxicated Causing Death, a 15-year felony
Operating - While Intoxicated Causing Serious Injury, a 5-year felony
Operating - While Intoxicated Causing Serious Injury, a 5-year felony
Child Abuse - 3rd Degree, a 2-year felony
Child Abuse - 3rd Degree, a 2-year felony
Moving Violation Causing Death, a 1-year misdemeanor
Moving Violation Causing Serious Impairment Of A Body Function, a 93-day misdemeanor
Moving Violation Causing Serious Impairment Of A Body Function, a 93-day misdemeanor
Felony - Commission With Motor Vehicle - Adult Advisory, Secretary of State driver’s license sanctions
Habitual Offender - 2nd Offense Notice, an aggravating sentencing factor
Andary set Thorpe’s bond at $500,000 cash or surety, with no 10% option. If released on bond, Thorpe must wear a SCRAM alcohol-monitoring tether, refrain from using alcohol, marijuana, or
any non-prescribed controlled substances, and is prohibited from operating a motor vehicle.
Andary also ordered Thorpe to have no contact with the victims or their families.
He is scheduled to appear at a probable cause conference on June 16.
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