Lapeer man bound over on multiple felonies, related to fatal Thanksgiving Day car crash

Mount Clemens, Mich. – Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido announced that Austin Thorpe, 31, of Lapeer, Michigan, was bound over on multiple felonies stemming from a 2025 Thanksgiving Day car crash that resulted in the death of Thorpe’s young daughter. 

On Friday, August 7, 2026, a Preliminary Exam was held for Thorpe before Judge Jennifer A. Andary  in the 42-1 District Court in Romeo, Michigan. At the conclusion of the exam, Judge Andary bound Thorpe over as charged and, upon Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Darrian Fortier’s motion, Judge Andary added three additional counts: Involuntary Manslaughter, a second count of Operating While Intoxicated Causing Serious Injury, and a second count of Moving Violation Causing Serious Impairment of a Bodily Function.

In total, Thorpe is charged with the following:

ONE COUNT:         Involuntary Manslaughter, a 15-year felony

ONE COUNT:         Operating While Intoxicated Causing Death, a 15-year felony

THREE COUNTS:    Operating While Intoxicated Causing Serious Injury, a 5-year felony

TWO COUNTS:      Child Abuse - 3rd Degree, a 2-year felony

ONE COUNT:         Moving Violation Causing Death, a 1-year misdemeanor

THREE COUNTS:    Moving Violation Causing Serious Impairment Of A Body Function, a 93-day misdemeanor

ONE COUNT:         Felony - Commission With Motor Vehicle - Adult Advisory, Secretary of State driver’s license sanctions

Habitual Offender - 2nd Offense Notice, an aggravating sentencing factor

“The allegations in this case are deeply disturbing. The defendant is accused of driving while impaired and failing to properly secure two young children before a crash that tragically claimed one child’s life, seriously injured another, and badly hurt an innocent driver. My office will aggressively pursue accountability based on the evidence and seek justice for the victims and their families,” said Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido.

It is alleged that on Thursday, November 27, 2025, Thorpe was driving a 2011 Chevrolet Impala southbound on M-53 in Bruce Township, Michigan. It is further alleged that he failed to properly secure his 2-year-old son and 5-year-old daughter in the vehicle. While traveling southbound, Thorpe allegedly crossed through the center turn lane and collided head-on with a 2013 Chevrolet Impala traveling in the northbound lane. Thorpe, his children, and the driver of the other vehicle were transported to Henry Ford Macomb Hospital. The 5-year-old child was later pronounced deceased.

Thorpe will be arraigned before Judge Julie Gatti of the Macomb County Circuit Court on Monday, August 24, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. 

The Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office represents the People. We are committed to achieving justice and following the laws of the State of Michigan. All individuals who are accused of a crime are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

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