COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The case of a Coldwater man who was charged in connection with the death of a bicyclist north of Kinderhook almost two years ago will not go to a jury trial on April 19 in Branch County Circuit Court after a plea bargain was formally filed on Monday.
According to Branch County on line court records, 29-year-old Jacob Daniel Ward entered a no contest plea to Operating While Intoxicated Causing Death. In exchange for his plea, charges of Reckless Driving Causing Death, Moving Violation Causing Death, Use of Methamphetamine and Use of Marijuana are being dismissed by Branch County Prosecutors. Also being dropped is the Habitual Offender fourth offense sentencing enhancer.
Sentencing has been scheduled for May 1. Under Michigan law, Ward is looking at a prison sentence of up to 15 years and fines as high as $10,000.
Ward was accused of driving an S.U.V. that struck a bicycle driven by 25-year-old Era Denna Hall who was riding on Old U.S. 27 near Nye Road on the night of April 12, 2021. She was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash.
The case was bound over to Circuit Court in December of 2021 after a District Court preliminary exam that lasted eight hours.
Ward has been represented by attorney Tom Schaeffer who clashed with Branch County Prosecutor Zach Stempien on several points during the preliminary exam.
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