COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – A Montgomery man was ordered held without bond on Tuesday during a video arraignment in Branch County District Court as he was formally charged in connection with a fatal Ovid Township accident on October 28th.
32-year-old Michael Daniel Penza has been charged with second degree homicide, OWI causing death, possession of methamphetamine and possession of marijuana, second offense following a Michigan State Police investigation into the two vehicle traffic accident that took the life of 54-year-old Brenda Hutchison of Coldwater.
A probable cause hearing was scheduled for next Wednesday, January 4th while a preliminary exam is set for January 10th in District Court.
District Court Judge Brent Weigle appointed Benjamin Jewell to serve as Penza’s defense attorney.
According to troopers, a 2007 Chevrolet Impala driven by Hutchison was northbound on Centennial Road when it was struck head-on near Lockwood Road by a full-size black SUV driven by Penza that had crossed the center line.
Hutchison and Penza had to be extricated from their vehicles. Hutchison was pronounced dead at the scene. Penza was airlifted to Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo, while his daughter was taken to the Community Health Center of Branch County for treatment.
