Man Charged with Second Degree Murder in Death of 13-Year-Old Pedestrian

Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton has charged a Detroit man in the death of a 13-year-old Flint girl who was struck and killed by a van while she was crossing the street.

Mark Blount, 28 of Detroit, has been charged with second degree murder related to the September 28th incident when the van he was driving struck Misty Kurmas as she was crossing S. Saginaw Street near Tobias Street just south of downtown Flint.

In announcing the charges, Prosecutor Leyton said Blount's actions "created a very high risk of death or great bodily harm and he should have known that death or such harm would be the likely result of driving in such an erratic manner and at such high speeds in that vicinity."

Leyton noted that the investigation determined Blount was not even aware that he was being followed by undercover police officers prior to the crash. he said Blount though he maybe was being followed by an angry boyfriend or other drug dealers and he was trying to lose them. As Blount passed the International Academy of Flint school, a State Police Trooper in a marked cruiser observed and began pursuit of Blount. However, within about five seconds, Blount's van had struck Kurmas.

In addition to the murder charge which carries a possible life sentence, Leyton has charged Blount with Operating While License Suspended Causing Death, and Operating While intoxicated, both 15-year felonies.