COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – A Coldwater man was ordered to serve between 38 months and 15 years in the Michigan Department of Corrections Monday in Branch County Circuit Court following a traffic accident in July 2016 that took the life of his girlfriend.
26-year-old Andrew Joseph Pitt was sentenced after he entered a no contest plea to a felony charge of reckless driving causing death.
According to court documents, prosecutors agreed to vacate their right to add a second degree murder charge as part of the plea agreement.
Pitt was given credit for one day served in jail. The crash happened on Hull Street near Vans Avenue. According to Coldwater police, Pitt’s Chevy Cobalt veered off the street and into a tree.
Pitt and his 22-year-old passenger, Paige Graves of Coldwater, suffered multiple serious injuries and were both rushed to Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne for emergency treatment. Graves later died from her injuries.
Coldwater Police said their investigation indicated excessive speed and alcohol were suspected factors in the accident.
