Stepdad charged for stabbing driver

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - The 23-year-old stepfather accused of stabbing the driver who hit and killed his 2-year-old stepson was arraigned Wednesday afternoon.

Dierre Coteat faces an assault with intent to murder charge for stabbing the man after the toddler, Javonni Conley, ran into the street chasing a ball Monday evening. If convicted, Coteat faces up to life in prison.

Coteat's cash bond is set at $500 thousand. The judge said he based that on the severity of the charges and the fact that Coteat has an out of state criminal record.

Marlene Rodriguez, Conley's mother and Coteat's girlfriend, said the bond is too steep and the charges against Coteat are too severe. "He's like a father to him and he reacted to the hurt and anger and pain," Rodriguez said. "I dropped to my knees and he saw me crying and the kids crying and that's what he saw and he's really hurting."

Police say Coteat saw at least part of what happened and then allegedly stabbed the driver. Coteat fled the scene in the 200 block of Spencer but was arrested a short time later.

The driver of the pick-up truck was hospitalized for chest wounds, but is expected to survive. The 2-year-old died at the hospital from head injuries.

Investigators said the driver was not at fault. Speed, they said, was not a factor, nor was alcohol. The driver was not on his cell phone.

Though no official complaints have been lodged about cars speeding in the neighborhood, residents told 24 Hour News 8 they have concerns.

The driver of the pick-up truck has not commented. 24 Hour News 8 spoke with someone at the house listed to the pick-up truck, but that person said he did not want to talk at this time.

The driver's name has not been released.

Coteat will be back in court August 3.

24 Hour News 8 will continue to follow this story.