(WWJ) — A Warren man with multiple prior drunk driving offenses has been charged with hitting and killing an elderly woman while driving a snow plow while intoxicated last month.
Jason Waelchli, 45, was arraigned Wednesday in connection with the Jan. 16 crash that left an 86-year-old woman dead.
Waelchli has been charged with operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, OWI - third offense, driving on a suspended license causing death, and driving on a suspended license - second offense.
“It is my duty to uphold justice, and in this case a man's repeated choice to allegedly drive under the influence has shattered the life of an innocent elderly woman,” Macomb County Prosecutor Pete Lucido said, per a press release. “The tragedy deepens with each offense, underscoring the urgent need for accountability to protect our communities from such reckless disregard for human life
Lucido’s office says Waelchli was driving a snow plow while intoxicated in a parking lot near 15 Mile and Hayes in Fraser on Jan. 16 when he ran the woman over as she walked to her car.
The woman was just leaving a hair salon after getting her hair done, according to previous reports, and was hit twice when Waelchli was reversing.
Waelchli, who is also being charged as a habitual fourth offender, had bond set at $25,000 cash/surety or 10%. If released, he will be ordered to wear a GPS steel cuff tether with alcohol monitoring and he must also receive a substance abuse assessment.
Waelchli’s next court date is scheduled for March 20.
More on today's top stories: