By ZEINAB NAJM
Sunday Times Newspapers
ALLEN PARK — Robert Merritt, 56, of Romulus was charged in connection with a fatal crash Sept. 22 that killed 17-year-old Mia Howard and injured a 15-year-old girl, both of Allen Park.
He faces one count of second-degree murder, one count of operating while intoxicated causing death and one count of reckless driving causing death.
According to a press release from the Wayne County Prosector’s Office, Merritt was arraigned on Dec. 24 in 36th District Court where he was given a $100,000 bond, 10 percent, and a GPS and alcohol tether. He also is not allowed to drive.
A probable cause conference is scheduled for March 9 in front of 34th District Court Judge Brian Oakley. Merritt turned himself in to police on Dec. 23.
Romulus police officers were dispatched to the intersection of Middlebelt and Goddard roads in Romulus about 8:36 p.m. Sept. 22 for a crash.
Once at the scene, officers found Howard trapped inside her vehicle. Emergency Medical Services personnel arrived at the crash site and pronounced Howard dead.
The 15-year-old — Howard’s cousin Faith Howard — and Merritt were transported to a local hospital for treatment. According to the press release, Merritt allegedly was intoxicated, driving north in the southbound lane of Middlebelt at a high rate of speed when he struck the victim’s vehicle head-on.
Mia Howard was a senior at Allen Park High School at the time of her death, an honor student in school and had plans on becoming a dental hygienist.
A GoFundMe page has raised its $10,000 goal to honor Mia Howard’s memory and to raise awareness and resources to prevent drunken driving crashes.
Money raised will be donated to Mothers Against Drunk Driving. Donations will also go toward a billboard on I-94.
Mia Howard’s oldest sister, Jessica, also will put some of the money raised toward adopting a highway, the GoFundMe page said.
(Zeinab Najm can be reached at [email protected].)