Heartbreaking Twist of Fate: Highland Park Man Dies in Crash Hours After Prison Release; Two Killed in High-Speed Collision at Detroit Furniture Warehouse
DETROIT, Mich. — July 31 2025
A celebration of regained freedom turned into a devastating loss in the early hours of Wednesday morning when a single-vehicle crash on Detroit’s east side claimed two lives and left two others seriously injured. Among those killed was Catone Scott, a Highland Park, Michigan resident who had been released from prison just hours earlier. Also fatally injured was Joshaunda Scott, a relative, according to family sources.
The crash occurred at approximately 1:45 a.m. at the Nationwide Furniture Warehouse, located at 10570 Gratiot Avenue, near the intersection of 6 Mile, Gratiot and French Road. Emergency responders from the Detroit Police Department and medical crews arrived to find a heavily damaged vehicle embedded in the front of the closed storefront. Four adults were inside; two were pronounced dead at the scene and two others were transported to area hospitals—one in critical condition and the other in stable condition.
A Fresh Start That Ended in Tragedy
Family members say Catone Scott had been released from prison earlier in the day and was spending time with loved ones when the crash occurred. What was meant to be a new beginning ended in a sudden and violent tragedy.
“Catone had just come home,” a close family friend said. “He was trying to rebuild, trying to piece things together. To lose him like this—right after he got out—it’s unbearable.”
Joshaunda Scott, remembered by neighbors as devoted to family and community, was also suddenly taken. The surviving occupants remain hospitalized, with their conditions under close medical supervision.
Crash Investigation Underway
The Detroit Police Department’s Fatal Squad is leading the investigation into the collision. Initial assessments indicate the vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed when the driver lost control and struck the front of the building with significant force, causing major structural damage. Investigators are examining surveillance footage from nearby businesses and are working to determine whether additional factors—such as impairment, distraction, or mechanical issues—played a role in the crash.
“This kind of loss is completely preventable,” a DPD spokesperson said. “We are continuing to collect evidence and speak with witnesses to understand exactly what happened in those moments before impact. We urge all drivers to be cautious, especially during the early morning when visibility and reaction time can be compromised.”
The scene remained closed for several hours as officers and crash reconstruction specialists processed evidence. No employees were present inside the furniture store at the time, as it was closed, and there were no reports of injuries to bystanders or staff.
Community Reaction
Residents on Detroit’s east side expressed shock and sadness upon seeing the aftermath. The area around 6 Mile and Gratiot is a frequently traveled corridor, and the violent nature of the crash left many shaken.
“You don’t expect something like this right here,” one local resident said. “To have someone just out of prison and another family member gone—it really hits hard. People need to slow down. It’s not worth it.”
City safety advocates and community leaders reiterated their concerns about high-speed driving and the ongoing toll of traffic violence in the region. “We have to do better at keeping our streets safe,” said a community outreach coordinator. “Lives are ending in seconds because of decisions made behind the wheel.”
Broader Implications
Detroit has seen an alarming number of serious and fatal crashes during late-night and early-morning hours this year. Officials have increasingly called for a combination of heightened enforcement, public awareness campaigns, and infrastructure improvements to address patterns of reckless driving.
“One moment of excess speed, one split-second loss of control, and you’re changing multiple families’ lives forever,” the safety advocate added. “We’re urging drivers to internalize that reality before it’s too late.”
What Is Known
- Time of Incident: Approximately 1:45 a.m., Wednesday, July 30, 2025
- Location: Nationwide Furniture Warehouse, 10570 Gratiot Avenue, Detroit, Michigan
- Fatalities: Catone Scott (Highland Park resident, recently released from prison), Joshaunda Scott
- Injuries: Two other adult occupants—one in critical condition, one stable
- Apparent Cause: High speed; investigation ongoing
- Investigating Agency: Detroit Police Department Fatal Squad
Next Steps
Authorities are asking anyone with information, including eyewitness accounts or private camera footage from the area, to contact the Detroit Police Department. Support services and counseling are expected to be offered to the families affected by the crash as they begin to process the sudden and traumatic losses.
Funeral arrangements for Catone and Joshaunda Scott have not yet been announced.
This is a developing story. Additional details will be added as law enforcement releases more information and families provide statements.