A truck driver has been charged with two felonies in connection with a fatal pileup on Interstate 94.
Back in September 2015, truck driver Michael Daniel Baird was involved in a crash with two semi trucks and five other vehicles on I-94 in Paw Paw, Michigan. The crash killed 72-year-old Illinois man James Hastings, and critically injured his wife.
No charges were filed at the time of an accident, but a lengthy investigation was launched.
Earlier this month, on March 7th, the results of the investigation were revealed — police say Baird was texting while driving and failed to slow down as he approached traffic in a construction zone. Baird then struck an SUV that was driven by Hastings, leading to a chain reaction crash.
“He was found to be texting at the time of the crash,” said Michigan State Police 1st Lt. Dale Hinz.
According to MLive.com, Baird was charged with one count each of reckless driving causing death and reckless driving causing serious impairment, and faces up to 15-years in prison.
He turned himself in on March 21st and was released without bail. The preliminary hearing is set for April 5th.
