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Driver accused of hitting, killing Detroit officer appears in court

Posted at 5:24 AM, Dec 06, 2016
and last updated 2016-12-06 18:24:35-05

The driver accused of hitting and killing a Detroit police officer was in court today for his preliminary hearing.

Officer Myron Jarrett was the second of three police officers killed on the job in Detroit since September.

The preliminary hearing is on top of the criminal charges Steven Patrick Guzina faces. The family of Officer Jarrett has also filed a civil suit seeking millions for his death.

Today, a judge rulled Guzina will be going to trial for Second Degree Murder, Operating While Intoxicated and other charges - including Reckless Driving.

Police say the 40-year-old officer was assisting with a crash investigation when Guzina drove through the police scene hitting the officer and other cars.

We're told Guzina then sped from the scene.

It all happened back on October 28 at Puritan and Monica.

Speaking publicly for the first time since filing a $15-million lawsuit for the Jarrett family, Attorney Michael Morse is now sending a message.

"It's like these officers have a target on their back and it's not just with guns and so that's why we're here to protect his family and the community and get these people off the road," said Morse.

We're told Officer Jarrett was a family man, a loving husband who leaves behind four children.