BATTLE CREEK, MI (WTVB) – A Battle Creek man who was charged in connection with a fatal crash in Burlington Township that took the life of a Union City woman almost a year ago entered a plea this week in Calhoun County Circuit Court.
The Battle Creek Enquirer reports 34-year-old Lew Frank Noyes entered a no contest plea to a charge of operating while intoxicated causing death. He is scheduled to be sentenced on September 13.
66-year-old Deborah Mansfield was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident which took place near the intersection of 8 Mile Road and U Drive South.
The Calhoun County Sheriff’s Department said at the time of the crash that a van driven Noyes was in a curve when he swerved to avoid an animal. His vehicle then went into the opposite lane of traffic and collided head on with the vehicle being driven by Mansfield.
According to a report in the Enquirer, Noyes told Calhoun County deputies he had been smoking marijuana before the crash. He is now facing a prison sentence of between 15 months and 15 years.
