ROMEO (WWJ) -- An Imlay City man could spend more than a decade behind bars if he's convicted as charged in connection with a deadly drunken driving crash.
Jeffrey Lucas, 55, has been charged with one count of Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated Causing Death, a 15 year felony, as well as one count of Operating While Intoxicated - Third Offense, according to the Macomb County Prosecutor's Office.
According to Michigan State Police, at around 8:45 p.m. on April 8, Lucas was driving Dodge Ram pickup truck was south on Brown Rd., south of Reed Rd. in Bruce Township, when he used the northbound lane to pass another vehicle.
While still in the northbound lane, the pickup smashed head-on into a dirt bike driven by 53-year-old Andrew Troia of Romeo.
Troia was taken by EMS to a local hospital where he later died of his injuries.
According to police, an investigation found that Lucas was driving while impaired. He was not injured in the crash.
Lucas was arraigned in Romeo District Court on Wednesday where his bond was set at $750,000 cash/surety, no 10%.
"A man's irresponsible choice to allegedly drive drunk caused a fatal collision resulting in the senseless loss of a life. The alleged drunk driver will be held fully accountable for his actions, as there's no excuse for such disregard for human safety," said Prosecutor Pete Lucido, in a statement.
Lucas will be back in court for a probable cause conference scheduled for Tuesday, April 23.
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