Detectives from the Chippewa County Sheriff’s Office have spent many hours over the past few months investigating this fatal crash.
Several interviews were conducted along with investigations into the pick-up driver’s Social Media use. Ultimately, it was concluded that the driver who struck the two pedestrians was actively on her cell phone, using Social Media, at the time of the fatal crash. It has been determined that this was a contributing factor.
The Prosecutor has authorized the arrest of Jennifer Helen Campbell, a 20 year old female from Saint Ignace MI, for one count of Reckless Driving Causing Death. Campbell turned herself into the 91st District Court and was subsequently arraigned earlier this morning. Campbell is being held at the Chippewa County Correctional Facility on a cash bond.
Chippewa County Sheriff Michael D. Bitnar stated, “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.” Sheriff Bitnar wants to remind the public to, “Put your Phone in Park”.
ORIGINAL NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY
In the evening of 1-10-2019, the Chippewa Co Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to a traffic crash on I-75 north of Gaines Hwy.
The investigation revealed that a small car had left the roadway and struck a reflector pole and was stuck in the snow.
Further investigation discovered that all of the occupants (One driver and three passengers) in this vehicle had been consuming alcohol.
Prior to Law Enforcement’s arrival to the scene, two of the passengers from the small car in the ditch started walking southbound in the traffic lane of I-75 wearing dark colored clothing.
A Full-size pickup travelling southbound, then struck two of the individuals walking in the roadway. One victim sustained fatal injuries with the second treated at War Memorial Hospital for non-life threatening injuries.
