West Bloomfield Teen Sentenced Following Tragic Traffic Incident
West Bloomfield, MI – A tragic traffic accident that took the life of a young girl and left several others injured has led to a significant prison sentence for a local teen. Azlaan Shah Khan, now 17 years old, was handed a prison term of 43 months to 15 years by Family Court Judge Amanda Shelton in Oakland County Circuit Court on Tuesday.
The Incident that Shook the Community
The events unfolded on March 22, 2023, when Khan, an unlicensed driver at just 15 years old, was fleeing from police in a 2023 Jeep Gladiator. The chase began after he ran a red light at the intersection of Maple Road and Pontiac Trail, leading him to collide with several vehicles at the intersection of Maple and Decker roads in Walled Lake. Tragically, this reckless driving resulted in the death of Piper Carrothers, a vibrant 13-year-old girl from Commerce Township.
Piper was riding with her mother and younger sister, Cora, at the time of the accident. While Piper lost her life that fateful day, both Cora and their mother suffered serious injuries and continue to recover from the trauma of the incident.
Details of the Charges
After the accident, Khan and his passenger, Gavin Kassab, initially fled the scene. It wasn’t until 50 days later that charges were filed against them. By May of 2023, Khan had pleaded no contest to a number of serious charges, including manslaughter, reckless driving causing death, and multiple counts of fleeing and eluding.
Kassab, who was a passenger during the incident, has also faced legal consequences and was sentenced in June. Even though both teens were involved, the court took a firm stand on the gravity of Khan’s actions, particularly given the loss of young Piper.
A Serious Outcome
During sentencing, in addition to the manslaughter charge, Khan received concurrent sentences for first-degree fleeing and eluding, reckless driving causing death, and multiple counts for fleeing and eluding. The terms laid out mean that he will effectively not be eligible for driving once he completes his prison sentence, as Judge Shelton emphasized that his driver’s license will be suspended indefinitely.
What makes this case all the more poignant is the fact that Khan was initially charged as a juvenile. However, after an adult designation hearing, the court decided to handle his case in a more serious manner, reflecting the tragic outcome of his reckless actions.
Justice Served?
Judge Shelton had to weigh her options carefully, as she could have chosen to sentence Khan as a juvenile, as an adult, or a blend of both. Ultimately, she made the decision to treat him as an adult given the severity of the case and the tragic loss of young Piper.
Many in the community are left grappling with the sadness of this event. The loss of a child is something that reverberates through families and schools, leaving a lasting impact. As the Carrothers family continues to heal from their unimaginable loss, this case serves as a crucial reminder about the dangers of reckless driving and the importance of accountability on our roads.
While Khan faces the consequences of his actions, the community is left to reflect on the larger implications of this tragedy and how similar incidents can be prevented in the future.
