The Rockford man who caused a fatal accident at the corner of White Creek Avenue and 17 Mile Road in October has been charged in the crash.
According to Cedar Springs Police Chief Roger Parent, Todd Michael Benoit, 35, was heading northbound on White Creek Avenue in a red jeep about 10:25 p.m. on October 3 and had stopped before pulling out into the intersection in front of a westbound, full-size Dodge pickup truck. The Jeep was struck in the front passenger’s door. Benoit’s son, Derrick Mitchell Holstege, 19, of Wyoming was a front-seat passenger in the Jeep and died in the crash.
Toxicology reports obtained from both the hospital and Michigan State Police lab confirmed Benoit’s blood alcohol level was above the legal limit.
Benoit was arraigned in 63rd District Court on Friday, Dec. 4, on a charge of OWI (operating while intoxicated), a 15-year felony. He was released on a $50,000 personal recognizance bond, and a preliminary court date was set December 16 at 11 a.m.
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