Women killed in Detroit crash, possibly by drunk driver who survived: source

DETROIT (WXYZ) — Detroit police are investigating a fatal crash that left two people dead. Police sources told 7 News Detroit that investigators are looking into the possibility that the perpetrator was drunk. This driver survived.

The accident occurred around 3:15 a.m. at the intersection of Forest Avenue and Mount Elliot Street on the city's east side.

According to police, a man driving a Chrysler 300 collided with a Ford Fusion.

The family identified the victims as 27-year-old Airiana Lightfoot and her friend Airon Pace.

They were in Lightfoot's merger. Police said Lightfoot was ejected and Pace was trapped in the burning vehicle.

Family of Airiana Lightfoot

“I couldn't help her. The car was too hot. You know, if I could have done it, I would have done it,” Frank Crosson said.

Crosson, who lives near the intersection, remembered hearing a loud bang. He jumped into action, trying to get Lightfoot to a safe distance.

“As we pulled her away from the car, it exploded,” he explained.

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Crosson said he and another man ran to help the man driving the Chrysler.

“We couldn’t open the door. The door wouldn't open. So we had to grab him and pull him out the window,” Crosson said. “When I got him out of the car, his car exploded.”

Police sources said the investigation is focusing on the possibility that the driver who caused the accident was drunk. Here too he survived and was taken to hospital.

“It always happens like that. It seems like the bad guy always has a chance to go away,” Glenda Robinson, Pace’s aunt, told 7 News Detroit.

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Robinson recalled the call, which she found “stunning and shocking.” It was very hurtful.

“The least thing you expected,” she said.

Family of Airiana Lightfoot

Now Robinson is left with memories of two lives cut short.

“She was very, very sweet. Very nice. She had a small son. You know, she worked for the post office and was very involved. She had just texted me the other day. If I came here I would talk to her.” “Very pleasant young lady,” Robinson described.