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On July 21, 2021, Prosecutor Kym Worthy charged Shanaya Latrice Copeland, 17, (DOB: 06/25/04), of Detroit, and Zaria Armonie Hughes, 17, (DOB: 12/30/03), of Oak Park, in connection with a fatal car crash that killed two young women ages 17 and 18, both of Detroit. The 17-year-old defendants are adults under Michigan law. The defendants were not in custody at the time they were charged in the case.

On June 27, 2021, at approximately 2:12 a.m., it is alleged that both defendants were racing each other on eastbound Joy Road in Detroit. Ms. Copeland had three female passengers in her Ford Fusion. Ms. Hughes had one female passenger in her Chrysler 200. It is alleged that both defendants were intoxicated and driving at a high rate of speed when Ms. Hughes lost control of her vehicle, striking Ms. Copeland's vehicle, forcing both vehicles to leave the roadway, and strike trees in the median of the street. Medics transported everyone involved in the crash to local hospitals.

Ms. Copeland, driver of the Ford Fusion, suffered minor scrapes and bruises in the crash. Her front seat passenger, 17, of Detroit, sustained serious injuries to her right hip, tail bone and lungs, as well as cuts and bruises. The rear passenger on the driver's side, also 17, of Detroit, was pronounced deceased at a local hospital. The rear seat passenger on the passenger side, 18, of Detroit, was pronounced deceased at a local hospital.

Ms. Hughes, the driver of the Chrysler 200, suffered a broken jaw, a broken left leg and a broken right ankle. Her front seat passenger 17,of Detroit, suffered injuries to her liver, and upper lip, as well as cuts and bruises.

"Since March of 2020, when the pandemic hit Michigan hard, we have reviewed or are in the process of reviewing fatal car crashes where the driver is alleged to be intoxicated, speeding and drag racing. We have been sounding the alarm on this since then. When a person drag races, or otherwise flagrantly disregards the rules of the road, people can lose their lives. So don't do it, please. It is that simple," said Prosecutor Worthy.

Shanaya Latrice Copeland has been charged with two counts of Second-Degree Murder, two counts of Reckless Driving Causing Death, two counts of Operating While License Suspended, Revoked, or Denied Causing Death, two counts of Operating While License Suspended, Revoked, or Denied Causing Serious Injury, two counts of Reckless Driving Causing Serious Impairment of a Body Function, one count of Drag Racing, and one count of Operating While Minor with any Blood Alcohol Content. *

On August 14, 2021, Defendant Copeland was arraigned and received a $500,000/10% bond with the conditions that she cannot drink, she cannot drive, must wear a GPS tether and is confined to her home. She is currently out of jail on bond. her Probable Cause Conference is before Judge Kenneth King on September 16, 2021 at 8:30 a.m. Please request a photograph of the defendant from the Detroit Police Department.

Zaria Armonie Hughes has been charged with two counts of Second-Degree Murder, two counts of Reckless Driving Causing Death, two counts of Operating While Intoxicated Causing Death, two counts of Operating While Intoxicated Causing Serious Injury, two counts of Reckless Driving Causing Serious Impairment of a Body Function, one count of Drag Racing, one count of Operating While Minor with any Blood Alcohol Content, and one count of Operating While License Suspended, Revoked, or Denied. *

Defendant Hughes has been recuperating from injuries she sustained in the crash. Arrangements will be made by the Detroit Police for her arraignment in 36th District Court. Please request a photograph of the defendant from the Detroit Police Department after the arraignment.

*The charges are allegations and defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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