Instead of stopping a drag race between Aaron Reynolds, 34, and Mustapha Mohammed Atat, 30, four police officers sat in their cars, blasting music and urging the race to continue, according to prosecutors.
Officers William Kish III, Joseph Lavis, Douglas Muncey and Mohammed Nasser were charged with willful neglect of duty and willful failure to uphold or enforce the law during the Oct. 8, 2001, race in Lincoln Park, Mich., that left a pedestrian dead. Both charges are misdemeanors that carry one-year prison terms. They also face a 90-day prison term if found guilty of drag racing.
Reynolds reportedly lost control of his car during the race, and as the car drove on the sidewalk, Reynolds hit and killed 25-year-old Denise Jones.
Reynolds and Atat are charged with second-degree murder and face up to life in prison.