Officer and son charged in car crash

Misdemeanor charges filed

 

MACOMB COUNTY — The Almont Police Department is in the news once again, weeks after a controversial departure of a former Chief and a lawsuit by a former department officer.

Former Chief Andy Martin had announced what he called his “retirement.” However, village officials said a separation agreement had been reached with Martin, following a lawsuit that had been filed against the village, with Martin also named in the suit.

Laura Black, a former Almont officer, sued the village, but settled her case before a jury trial began, eventually being awarded just under one million dollars.

Now, a second officer with the department is making headlines, having been charged with an alleged “two year high court misdemeanor” crime involving her teenage child.

The Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office authorized charges on the Almont police officer, Amanda Szymanski, and her son in connection with a Dryden Twp. traffic crash in 2023.

The case was referred from the Lapeer County Prosecutors’ Office to the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office.

Prior to coming to work in Almont, Szymanski was a member of a Metro Detroit department, in Ferndale, where she was honored as the 2017 Mothers Against Drunk Driving Officer Of The Year.

Now she is charged with allegedly lying to investigators for saying she was with her 15-year-old son at the time he was driving a car that crashed with an Amazon driver—leaving the victim with life-threatening injuries.

Police say witnesses claimed Szymanski was never originally at the accident scene.

According to a press release from the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office, the action taken is “per the normal conflict of interest process.”

The statement said, “It is alleged that on Sunday, July 2, 2023, a traffic crash occurred involving an Amazon driver and a 15-year-old juvenile. The Amazon driver failed to yield to the juvenile driving a GMC Acadia, resulting in the Amazon driver having life-threatening injuries.”

Officials with the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office continued, “the 15-year-old juvenile (allegedly) left the scene of the crash. A neighbor heard the crash and gave the Amazon driver aid.

The press release statement from the Prosecutor’s Office alleged, “A little while later, the mother of the juvenile—an off duty Almont Police Officer— Amanda Szymanski, arrived at the scene of the crash. Szymanski allegedly lied and told investigators that she was in the car with her son at the time of the crash.”

Szymanski, 45, of Dryden was charged with lying to a police officer —four year or more crime investigation, a two year high court misdemeanor.

According to authorities, the now 16-year-old juvenile was charged with failure to stop at the scene of the accident resulting in serious impairment or death, a five-year felony.

The Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office is handling the case in the 71A Lapeer District Court.

Szymanski was arraigned in 71A Lapeer District Court where Magistrate Michael C. Delling set a $5,000 personal bond.

A probable cause conference is scheduled for Friday, July 19, 2024 at 9:00 a.m.

The statement from the Prosecutor’s Office went on to point out the “Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office represents the people. We are committed to achieving justice and following the laws of the State of Michigan. All that are accused of a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.”

Law enforcement officials explained Szymanski could lose her license to be a police officer if convicted of a felony.

According to reports, Almont Police Department personnel wanted Szymanski placed on administrative leave, but a top official in the village, not identified, allegedly blocked the move.

Those close to the situation say Szymanski is scheduled to work again later this week.

According to a spokesperson for the Police Officers Association of Michigan, in Michigan, if you are found guilty of, plead guilty to, or no contest to a felony, you are automatically disqualified from having MCOLES certification. If it’s a misdemeanor of any kind, it’s not an automatic loss of license.

“Police officers are held to a higher standard and allegedly lying to protect a loved one in a serious car crash only complicates the criminal justice process and leads to more harm. Our community relies on honesty and cooperation to ensure that justice is served fairly and swiftly,” said Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido in the press release.