DETROIT – A Detroit police source told Local 4 the man accused of causing a deadly crash Sunday night on Hoover north of Seven Mile, was driving with a blood alcohol level more than twice the legal limit.
The crash killed 2-year-old Lavale Harvey and his 8-year-old sister Alana Lee. Their mother, who was behind the wheel, is also hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. They were attempting to deliver Christmas presents to a relative who had been out of town for the holidays.
"I lost my son last night and I don't want to lose my daughter today," said the children's father, Lavale Harvey Sr. "Please just pray for my family. I need help and strength."
Witnesses said a 62-year-old man from Shelby Township crossed onto the wrong side of Hoover and hit the family's vehicle head-on.
Neighbors helped pull the victims from the car, fearing it would catch fire.
Family members said Lavale was a bright and well-mannered toddler, who would always say "please" and "thank you." Alana is a straight-A student.
The girl's mother was able to briefly leave her bed in another part of the hospital and visit Alana.
"She sat in the wheelchair and rolled up to the bed so she could hold her hand," said the girl's great aunt, Sondra Beam. "I can't even tell you the words and the heartache that went on."
Harvey said his daughter's spinal cord is severed.
"My daughter is fighting for her life every minute. She's just able to blink her eyes," the father said.
The Shelby Township man is also in critical condition at St. John. Charges are pending.
"He took my son's life off a bottle of alcohol," said Harvey. "My word to people is put that liquor down and put the keys down at the same time."