Woman Charged In Deadly Drunk Driving Crash Has History Of Alcohol Offenses

EASTPOINTE (WWJ) - A Royal Oak woman facing murder and drunk driving charges after a deadly crash in Eastpointe reportedly didn't have a valid license.

State records show Jenell Capreice Bailey, 47, had been arrested three other times in the past ten years for drunk driving, according to The Macomb Daily. Her license has also been suspended or revoked more than two dozen times, the report says.

Bailey was arrested Wednesday night after her van smashed into a car driven by 65-year-old Pavlos Dion, of Fraser, which was stopped at a red light. Dion died at the hospital. Police received multiple calls about Bailey's "reckless" driving before the deadly accident, with witnesses saying she was speeding, weaving through traffic and running red lights.

"She was driving quick, according to witness statements. What the actual speed was, we don't have concrete evidence on that," said Sgt. James Baker.

Officers at the scene said Bailey smelled of alcohol and failed several field sobriety tests. She was also taken to a hospital for treatment of a broken arm.

On Thursday, Bailey was arraigned via video from her hospital bed, where she remains under the watchful guard of police, on charges of second degree murder, operating while intoxicated causing death, and operating while license suspended causing death. Bond was set at $750,000.

Bailey is due back in court for a probable-cause conference on June 21, and a preliminary hearing on June 28. She faces up to life in prison if convicted as charged.

The crash remains under investigation. Any witnesses are asked to contact police at 586-445-5100.