DETROIT, MI – A tragic car accident has left a Detroit family devastated, as a four-year-old boy lost his life due to a crash in which he was not properly restrained. His mother, Shaniqua Baskin, is now facing legal consequences for her role in the incident.
On a somber Monday morning in a Detroit courtroom, Baskin was sentenced to three years of probation, with the first six months to be served behind bars at Wayne County Jail. She had pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter for the incident that occurred on May 6, 2020, when her son Jo’Quavious was killed in a car crash.
Investigators revealed that Baskin had driven a vehicle with faulty brakes, leading to the accident on I-75 near I-94. The car crossed the median and collided with another vehicle, resulting in her son being ejected and found lifeless on the highway by state police.
In court, Baskin expressed her deep remorse, stating she never imagined losing her son, whom she had carried and prayed for. She recounted how she had used her tax refund to purchase the vehicle, which ultimately led to a series of misfortunes, including the loss of her home and job.
Compounding her grief and guilt, Baskin did not possess a valid driver’s license and failed a field sobriety test at the crash scene. However, she later insisted that she was not under the influence, attributing her inability to walk a straight line to the overwhelming shock of the tragedy.
While the results of her blood alcohol tests were not disclosed, Baskin’s attorney assured the court that she would find a way to cope with the loss, even though she would never fully recover from it. The attorney emphasized the enduring impact of losing a family member and the difficult journey ahead for Baskin.
This case highlights the importance of vehicle safety and proper child restraints, as well as the consequences of driving without a license. The community mourns alongside Baskin, as they remember the young life lost too soon.