A tragic story from Michigan highlights the consequences of a night gone terribly wrong. Kentia M. Fearn, a 24-year-old woman, has been sentenced to 90 days in jail after her actions following the death of her friend, Mia Kanu. The incident unfolded in the early hours of June 3, 2023, after Fearn and Kanu left a party in Southfield, about 15 miles from Detroit.
According to authorities, Kanu fell out of the moving car Fearn was driving on Providence Drive, near the Coach House Apartments. Instead of stopping to help or calling for assistance, Fearn drove away, leaving her friend in the middle of the road. A passerby later discovered Kanu lying motionless and called 911. Kanu was rushed to Ascension Providence Hospital, where doctors found she had suffered severe head trauma. She was placed in the intensive care unit and kept on life support.
Kanu tragically passed away on June 5, but her legacy lived on through her generosity. As an organ donor, her liver was given to a baby, her kidneys went to another recipient, and her tissues and muscles were donated to help others. In a touching tribute, the hospital staff honored her with a “walk of life” ceremony as she was brought to the operating room.
The night before the tragedy, Mia had been picked up by a friend to attend a house party after her shift at the Green Lantern restaurant in Berkley. She never returned home.
Fearn’s actions that night led to her being charged with leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death and driving under the influence. She pleaded no contest to the charges in October. Along with her jail sentence, Fearn will also serve three years of probation.
Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald emphasized the seriousness of the case. “The law requires anyone involved in an accident to stop and immediately report it to authorities,” she said. “Leaving the scene when someone is seriously injured or dies is a felony. My office will hold those who do so accountable.”
Mia Kanu’s obituary described her as a bright light in the lives of those who knew her. “She was a treasure—a wonderful daughter, granddaughter, sister, niece, cousin, and friend,” her family shared. “Mia was kind, loving, sweet, and funny. She was a leader, both in sports like volleyball and in school activities, and she dedicated her life to God, her family, and her friends.”
This heartbreaking story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of accountability and compassion. It also highlights how Mia’s final act of generosity brought hope to others, even in the face of immense loss.
