Mount Clemens, MI – Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido announced that additional charges have been authorized against 54-year-old Keith Blackwell of Sterling Heights in connection with a fatal car collision that resulted in the deaths of two men.
Following a review of additional evidence, the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office authorized two counts of Second-Degree Murder. Each count is a felony punishable by life imprisonment or any term of years. These charges are in addition to those already pending against Blackwell.
Blackwell was previously charged with two counts of First-Degree Fleeing and Eluding a Police Officer and two counts of Reckless Driving Causing Death, all 15-year felonies. These represent the maximum charges available under the law based on the evidence presented to date.
On Monday, April 27, 2026, Blackwell was arraigned on the Second-Degree Murder charges during his Probable Cause Conference before Judge Sebastian Lucido of the 41-B District Court in Clinton Township, MI. After considering the arguments of Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Natalie Sullivan, the court increased Blackwell’s bond to $200,000 cash/surety only, no 10 percent option, and required a steel-cuff tether prior to release.
In a separate case, related to allegations that on Friday, March 13, 2026, Blackwell entered the home of a woman in Mount Clemens, MI, he was arraigned on charges of Third-Degree Home Invasion and Aggravated Stalking, both five-year felonies. Bond in that matter was set at $50,000 cash/surety only, no 10 percent option. The court further ordered that, prior to any release, Blackwell must be placed on a steel-cuff tether. He was ordered to have no contact with the complainant, directly, indirectly or through social media.
Blackwell has 24 hours to post bond. Failure to do so will result in the issuance of a bench warrant.
He is scheduled to appear at a Probable Cause Conference before Judge Lucido on June 22, 2026, at 8:30 a.m.
In regard to the fatal car crash, it is alleged that on Saturday, March 14, 2026, Blackwell was observed by Clinton Township police speeding southbound on Gratiot Avenue. Near Quinn Road, they initiated a traffic stop with emergency lights and sirens activated; however, Blackwell continued to drive at excessive speeds.
It is further alleged that while traveling southbound on Gratiot Avenue at speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour, Blackwell’s 2002 Jeep Cherokee collided with a white Volvo S60 that was traveling eastbound on 14 Mile Road.
The Volvo contained two occupants at the time of the crash. One occupant was pronounced dead at the scene, while the second occupant was transported to McLaren Hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries. The victims have been identified as Richard Talley, 23, of Roseville, Michigan, and Joshua Jones, 24, of Southfield, Michigan.
“There is simply no excuse for failing to stop for law enforcement. The Michigan legislature needs to finalize legislation to impose mandatory prison time for those who flee law enforcement, thereby endangering the public. We have seen too many lives lost,” said Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido.
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 until proven guilty in a court of law.
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Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office
Contact: Esther E. Wolfe, Communications Director
Office: 586-469-5737
Cell: 586-842-4421
Email: esther.wolfe@macombgov.org
