DEARBORN HEIGHTS — A tragic car accident that took place on Thursday, January 3rd at the intersection of Ford Rd. and Telegraph has left three men dead and another male in critical condition at Henry Ford Hospital. 

Adnan Berisha, 19, and Markel Keyon Jackson-Willis, 18, were killed instantly while driving a 1994 Honda Accord traveling North bound on Telegraph Rd.,  when they were struck by a 1999 Ford Ranger that ran through a red light. That vehicle was driven by Darrel “Daemon” Maniaci, 48, of Westland. Maniaci was believed to have been driving close to 90 mph and intoxicated when the crash occurred. He later died at Oakwood Hospital that same evening. 

The accident on the intersection of Telegraph and Ford Rd. in Dearborn Heights Killed three, and left one in critical condition.

Maniaci was spotted in Dearborn minutes before the crash heading west on Ford Rd., driving recklessly after hitting another vehicle near Ford Rd. and Evergreen. Nearby drivers had taken notice of his erratic driving and contacted Dearborn Police, who had already been searching for his vehicle before the fatal crash occurred a few minutes later.

Dearborn Heights Police Sgt. Al Nason, head of the traffic bureau, said it was the worst crash he had seen in his 28 years on the force. Both vehicles flipped and landed on the median on the north side of the intersection. Following the incident, the intersection  was closed for close to four hours from all directions as the Dearborn Heights Police Department as well as the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department, the Dearborn Police Department and the Michigan State Police worked together to recover the wreck.

There was one survivor in the wreck, Jackson-Willis’ cousin, William Duvall Willis, 21, of Westland, who was in the back seat of the Honnda. He was immediately transferred to Henry Ford Hospital after paramedics had to use “Jaws of Life” tools to remove him from the site. A few days later Willis updated his Facebook status to inform concerned friends about his condition, stating that he had broken both of his legs and had five broken ribs, but is expected to recover. 

Berisha and Jackson-Willis were both former students at Annapolis High School in Dearborn Heights. On Saturday night, over 500 people turned out to a vigil held near the school to commemorate the two young men. Berisha was described as a well disciplined standout former wrestler at the school, while Jackson-Willis was described as a very friendly young man who was always joking and smiling. 

Many local teenagers who knew the two young men have been grieving following their deaths. Annapolis High School is reportedly offering counseling for students who may need it. The school is also accepting donations to aid the families of the victims.

Maniaci, a tattoo artist who worked in a shop in Garden City,  has had previous run-ins with the law. Wayne County Circuit Court records show he has been convicted of unlawful use of an automobile and acquitted for auto theft in 1998. 

Meanwhile the Dearborn Heights Police Department is looking to increase road enforcement on Ford Rd. starting from Evergreen all the way down to Inkster Rd. This marks the second major car accident near that area within a one week span. A major car accident had also taken place at Ford Rd. and Silverly Lane that killed 72-year-old  man Julian Szczotka.