Macomb County authorities say Austin Thorpe, 31, of Lapeer has been bound over on multiple felonies stemming from a 2025 Thanksgiving Day car crash that resulted in the death of Thorpe’s young daughter.
A preliminary hearing was held last Friday for Thorpe before Judge Jennifer Andary in the 42-1 District Court in Romeo.
At the conclusion of the exam, Andary bound Thorpe over as charged and, upon Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Darrian Fortier’s motion, added three additional counts: Involuntary Manslaughter, a second count of Operating While Intoxicated Causing Serious Injury, and a second count of Moving Violation Causing Serious Impairment of a Bodily Function.
In total, Thorpe is charged with the following:
ONE COUNT: Involuntary Manslaughter, a 15-year felony
ONE COUNT: Operating While Intoxicated Causing Death, a 15-year felony
THREE COUNTS: Operating While Intoxicated Causing Serious Injury, a 5-year felony
TWO COUNTS: Child Abuse - 3rd Degree, a 2-year felony
ONE COUNT: Moving Violation Causing Death, a 1-year misdemeanor
THREE COUNTS: Moving Violation Causing Serious Impairment Of A Body Function, a 93-day misdemeanor
ONE COUNT: Felony - Commission With Motor Vehicle - Adult Advisory, Secretary of State driver’s license sanctions
Habitual Offender - 2nd Offense Notice, an aggravating sentencing factor.
It is alleged that on Thursday, November 27, 2025, 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.
Thorpe will be arraigned before Macomb County Circuit Court Judge Julie Gatti on August 24.
A preliminary hearing was held last Friday for Thorpe before Judge Jennifer Andary in the 42-1 District Court in Romeo.
At the conclusion of the exam, Andary bound Thorpe over as charged and, upon Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Darrian Fortier’s motion, added three additional counts: Involuntary Manslaughter, a second count of Operating While Intoxicated Causing Serious Injury, and a second count of Moving Violation Causing Serious Impairment of a Bodily Function.
In total, Thorpe is charged with the following:
ONE COUNT: Involuntary Manslaughter, a 15-year felony
ONE COUNT: Operating While Intoxicated Causing Death, a 15-year felony
THREE COUNTS: Operating While Intoxicated Causing Serious Injury, a 5-year felony
TWO COUNTS: Child Abuse - 3rd Degree, a 2-year felony
ONE COUNT: Moving Violation Causing Death, a 1-year misdemeanor
THREE COUNTS: Moving Violation Causing Serious Impairment Of A Body Function, a 93-day misdemeanor
ONE COUNT: Felony - Commission With Motor Vehicle - Adult Advisory, Secretary of State driver’s license sanctions
Habitual Offender - 2nd Offense Notice, an aggravating sentencing factor.
It is alleged that on Thursday, November 27, 2025, 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.
Thorpe will be arraigned before Macomb County Circuit Court Judge Julie Gatti on August 24.
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