Lakeview Man Enters Plea to OWI Causing Death

Richard Lee Rish, the Lakeview man accused of causing a fatal driving drunk accident over the Memorial Day weekend, has entered a plea of “no contest” to OWI Causing Death. Court documents show that Rish caused an accident that left three seriously injured and one dead, resulting in a charge of operating while intoxicated causing death.

According to the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Department, the accident happened when Bernard Langmeyer and his wife Deborah, pulled over on the side of I–96 because of a flat tire. Bernard contacted OnStar to report their situation and they settled in to wait for assistance.

Rish, who was traveling on that same highway, made a legal right hand pass in his car. But then, just as he was switching back into the left lane, he struck the Langmeyer’s parked vehicle. A third vehicle, driven by a couple from Wisconsin, was traveling behind Rish at the time of the collision. They were unable to stop in time, and also crashed into both Langmeyer and Rish’s vehicles.

Mark and Jean Vandyke, the Wisconsin couple in the third vehicle, were transported to the hospital after the accident for treatment of their injuries. Deborah Langmeyer was also injured and hospitalized. Bernard Langmeyer was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police reports say that Rish’s blood alcohol content was above 0.8 at the time of the accident, which under Michigan law puts him over the legal limit for drivers. He was charged with OWI causing death, which is a fifteen year felony.

He is scheduled for sentencing on October 19th. He may be sentenced to up to fifteen years in prison for the OWI causing death, along with possible fines of $2,500 to $10,000. It is important to note that while a plea of “no contest” does not mean an admission of guilt, it is treated like a guilty plea at sentencing.