SAULT STE. MARIE, MI-- The Chippewa County Sheriff’s Office has made an arrest in connection with a fatal accident on I-75 in January.
On the evening of January 10 a small car left the road just north of Gaines Highway. It struck a reflector pole and became stuck in the snow. Investigation revealed the driver and all three passengers had been drinking.
Two of the passengers—wearing dark-colored clothing—began walking southbound in the traffic lane of I-75. A southbound pickup truck struck the two, killing one and injuring the other.
Sheriff Mike Bitnar says detectives conducted numerous interviews and investigated the pickup driver’s social media use. They concluded the driver who struck the pedestrians was on her cell phone using social media at the time of the crash.
The Chippewa County Prosecutor’s Office authorized a charge of reckless driving causing death for Jennifer Campbell, 20, of St. Ignace. Campbell turned herself in to the 91st District Court Monday and was arraigned.
She’s currently lodged at the Chippewa County Jail on a cash bond.
Sheriff Bitnar says, “This incident is the culmination of many bad decisions by all involved parties, ultimately resulting in the death of one individual. A split-second decision could ruin your future, injure, kill and rip apart the hearts of loved ones, family members and friends.” He reminds the public to Put Your Phone In Park.
