Washtenaw Reckless Driving Causing Death

Dexter Drunk Driver Facing Additional Charge

Garrett Roe, the 36-year-old man from Dexter that police say is guilty of driving drunk and accidentally killing a 21-year-old woman from Saline, is now facing a new charge in the case against him.

Assistant Washtenaw County Prosecutor John Vella announced in District Court at a recent hearing that the prosecution will be adding a charge of reckless driving causing death to the existing charges. While it was not called a “plea agreement” in court, both the prosecutor and Roe’s attorney referred to the addition of this charge as an “agreement”, although it was not stated as to why this charge was added.

Roe is already facing charges of operating while intoxicated causing death and operating while intoxicated. Both the existing charge of operating while intoxicated causing death, and the new charge of reckless driving causing death, are felonies punishable up to 15 years under Michigan law.

The charges stem from an incident that occurred on May 4th at about 10 pm. Northrup was driving on South Parker Road in Freedom Township in a gray 2007 Ford Fusion. She was struck head-on by the silver 2013 Ford F-150 truck that Roe was driving, when he crossed over the center line of the road.

According to Roe’s recounting of events to Michigan State Police, he became distracted and was reaching for his cell phone at the time.The MSP Troopers who were on the scene at the time of the accident included in their report that they “had probable cause” to suspect that alcohol played a role in the crash, although Roe’s BAC results have not been released.

At the most recent hearing, Judge Elizabeth Pollard Hines added additional conditions to Roe’s bond. He is forbidden to drive, or to consume drugs or alcohol in any quantity while his case is pending. He is also required to wear an alcohol tether. Roe is currently free on a $5,000 personal recognizance bond.

According to Roe’s attorney, Joe Simon, he has chosen to waive his preliminary examination and will now be appearing before Judge Darlene O’Brien in the Washtenaw County Trial Court on November 6th.

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Posted in Michigan Drunk Driving, OWI causing death
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