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15-year-old saw speeding car coming and tried to get out of the way

Posted at 5:37 PM, Jun 13, 2019
and last updated 2019-06-13 17:42:10-04

DETROIT (WXYZ) — "He was one of the best things to ever happen to me. That's my youngest baby boy, " said Regginald Johnson, whose teenage son was killed Wednesday by a man who was speeding in a Chevrolet Impala and lost control.

A witness said the driver appeared to be going about 60 mph when he blew through a stop sign on Helen Street not far from Seven Mile Road on Detroit's east side.

Donell Johnson, 15, was sitting on his minibike, which was stopped on the sidewalk when, according to a witness, it appeared he heard the speeding car behind him. He then looked back and tried to get off his bike to get out of the way but it was too late.

The Impala crashed into Donell and his minibike before hitting two houses.

The 24-year-old driver was arrested. Police said it does not appear that alcohol or drugs were factors.

The driver remained locked up Thursday and could face a judge as early as Friday on charges that could include reckless driving causing death.

"I don't get to see my baby boy no more," said Donell's dad. "I got to put my baby boy in the ground. He was supposed to put me in the ground."