Man charged with fleeing police, domestic violence is heading to trial

A suspect wanted for fleeing police in Genoa Township has been bound over for trial.

32-year-old Stephen Francis III led police in a pursuit that began on Grand River Avenue near University Drive on June 13th after a Livingston County Sheriff’s deputy observed a pickup truck driven by Francis traveling eastbound on Grand River passing multiple vehicles by using the left-hand turn lane.  

When the deputy attempted to stop the vehicle, Francis reportedly accelerated rapidly and continued eastbound on Grand River Avenue at speeds of 95 miles per hour before leaving the roadway and striking a crosswalk sign and several street signs in the area Grand River and Latson Road.

The pursuit was then terminated prior to the vehicle entering onto westbound I-96 at Latson Road. That’s when the sheriff’s office put out a notice asking the public to keep an eye out for him. According to a social media update on Friday, Francis turned himself in.

Francis, who was charged with third-degree fleeing a police officer, domestic violence – second offense, second degree retail fraud and failing to report accident to fixtures, waived his exam June 27th in 53rd District Court and his case was bound over to circuit court for trial.

Francis remains held on a $100,000 bond.