ESCANABA, MI— A trial date has been set for a Rapid River man accused of causing a crash that killed another man last year.
David Abruzzo, 46, is charged with second-degree murder, operating with a high blood alcohol content causing death with a prior conviction, and reckless driving causing death. He’s also charged as a habitual offender, fourth offense.
Abruzzo is accused of driving with a 0.17 blood alcohol content on County 513 T Road in Rapid River last June. The crash resulted in the death of Mark Chechak of Rapid River.
Abruzzo appeared at a pretrial conference in Delta County Circuit Court last week. He stated he wanted to move ahead with trial rather than take a plea deal offered by Prosecutor Lauren Wickman. Under the offer, Abruzzo would plead guilty to second-degree murder and the other charges would be dropped. Thirty years in prison was the recommendation.
Trial is now scheduled for the week of November 16.
