Michigan Criminal Lawyers Blog
Recently it was announced that 29-year-old Jon M. Brown of Saginaw will go to trial in December on charges that he caused the death of a taxi driver and serious injury to another person in a crash on I-75 near East North Union Road in Monitor Township in May of this year. Brown was allegedly intoxicated when the accident occurred, and reportedly had a blood alcohol content of 0.105.
The victim who died, 54-year-old Barry E. Campbell, was driving his taxi along with a passenger whom he had picked up in Frankenmuth at the World Expo of Beer and was taking to Midland County. Brown, who was driving a Chevrolet Impala at the time, was allegedly driving in the wrong direction on I-75 when the two vehicles crashed head-on. Campbell’s passenger, Benjamin Martinson, was riding in the front passenger seat of the taxi when the crash occurred. Police reports state that upon arriving at the scene, deputies had a hard time finding Campbell because of the compressed damage to the passenger side of the vehicle.
While Campbell died from the injuries he sustained, Martinson suffered fractures to his pelvis and both legs, a ruptured bladder, collapsed right lung, and lacerations to his spleen and liver. Brown has been charged with operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated causing serious injury, and operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated causing death. He remains in jail on a $250,000 bond.
If found guilty, Brown could face a maximum of five years in prison for the DUI causing serious injury charges, and up to 15 years for the DUI causing death charge.
Brown also sustained non-life threatening injuries in the crash, including a broken hip and leg.
Michigan criminal defense attorneys know that when charged with a serious DUI crime that involves the injury or death of another person, it is imperative to work with a lawyer who will fight aggressively in order to help the client avoid harsh criminal penalties. In certain cases, it is often beneficial to the offender to accept a plea agreement from prosecutors, particularly when the evidence is overwhelming and there is little chance a jury would find the defendant not guilty. In most plea deals, the defendant pleads to a lesser charge, thereby being subject to penalties that are less harsh, such as reduced jail/prison time. Only an experienced DUI attorney can help determine all of the legal options and work toward the best possible result.
If you have been arrested for DUI causing death or serious injury, or any criminal offense that could leave you facing life-changing consequences, contact a qualified Michigan criminal defense lawyer right away.