09-07-2025
Teens in stolen Kia crash into Brayz Hamburgers in Hazel Park
Four teenagers fleeing from Warren police in a stolen black Kia Optima struck Brayz Hamburgers, a 24-hour Hazel Park restaurant, and injured a driver in another car on Wednesday, July 9, according to authorities.
Preliminary investigation shows Warren Police responded to a report of multiple Kia thefts in progress at around 4:35 a.m. and were dispatched near Warren Manor Apartments near 8 Mile and Dequindre, Warren Police Lt. John Gajewski said in an email to the Free Press.
Police got updated information and moved to Lafayette Mobile Home Community north of 8 Mile and Warner, where they saw the Optima driven by the teenagers leaving the area and attempted a traffic stop, Gajewski said.
The vehicle fled from officers traveling northbound on Warner before turning westbound on 9 Mile, Gajewski said. The Kia ran a red light at the 9 Mile and Dequindre intersection and collided with a white Lincoln sedan traveling southbound on Dequindre, Gajewski said.
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The impact caused the car to strike Brayz before coming to a stop on 9 Mile. Four people between the ages of 16 and 17 fled on foot and 'were quickly apprehended after a brief foot pursuit,' Gajewski said.
The female driver of the sedan sustained minor injuries and was transported to Henry Ford Madison Heights Hospital, where she is in stable condition, Gajewski said.
Officers recovered a handgun in the Kia, as well as a second stolen Kia from the area, Gajewski said. It is not known if the second Kia was stolen by a teenager, he said.
An employee on the phone around 10:30 a.m. confirmed that Brayz, known for its sliders and giant braying donkey, is open for business and said it was too busy to speak more. The business did not immediately respond to further requests for comment.
The incident remains under active investigation, Gajewski said.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Brayz Hamburgers in Hazel Park hit by teens fleeing cops in stolen car
