19-Year-Old Charged After Uber Driver Killed in Crash [OAK PARK, MI]

A 19-year-old driver has been charged after allegedly running a red light in Oak Park and crashing into an Uber driver’s vehicle late Thursday night, killing the driver and leaving his passenger in critical condition.

According to Oak Park Public Safety, the crash occurred around 11 p.m. on September 17 at the intersection of Eight Mile Road and Coolidge Highway. Tracy Darwin Sutton, 19, was driving a Dodge Charger when he allegedly drove through the intersection and collided with a Buick Envision carrying an Uber driver and a passenger. Surveillance video reviewed by investigators reportedly showed that the Buick driver had the right of way and the Charger disregarded the traffic signal.

The Uber driver, identified by Oak Park Public Safety as 59-year-old Detroit resident Dwayne Antonio Harvey, was extricated from the vehicle and transported to a nearby hospital, where he later died. Harvey was a teacher at Oak Park High School and was working as an Uber driver at the time of the crash.

Harvey’s passenger, a 23-year-old man, was ejected during the collision and was found on the roadway, conscious and breathing, when first responders arrived. He remains in critical condition. Sutton’s 18-year-old passenger was not injured.

Investigators said they believed intoxication was a factor involving Sutton, who was taken into custody after the crash.

Sutton was charged with operating while intoxicated causing death and operating while intoxicated causing serious injury. He was arraigned on September 20 and given a $2 million bond. If released, he would be placed on house arrest with GPS and alcohol monitoring and prohibited from driving. He is scheduled to return to court on September 28.

What Those Involved May Want to Know

When a crash kills one person and leaves another critically injured, the criminal case against the accused driver is separate from any potential civil claims available to those affected.

For Harvey’s family, Michigan’s wrongful death statute, MCL 600.2922, may allow the personal representative of his estate to pursue a civil wrongful death claim if his death resulted from another party’s wrongful act, neglect, or fault. The criminal charges and surveillance footage may be relevant to a potential civil case, although civil and criminal proceedings are separate. The family does not need to wait for the criminal case to conclude before consulting with an attorney.

For the critically injured passenger, Michigan’s no-fault system may provide PIP benefits for allowable medical expenses and wage loss, subject to applicable eligibility, coverage, and priority rules. Whether additional liability claims may be available depends on the severity of his injuries and the circumstances of the collision. An auto accident attorney can help identify what coverage may apply and evaluate potential legal options.

If your family was affected by this crash or a similar incident in Oakland County or anywhere in the Metro Detroit area, our team may be able to help. To speak with a Michigan personal injury attorney, contact us today.

Source: ClickOnDetroit Local 4 News, September 21, 2026