Indiana man charged in fatal crash on I-94 in Scio Township
An Indiana man who police say wasn't paying attention behind the wheel was recently charged in a crash that killed a 48-year-old woman in July on I-94 in Scio Township.
Bernard J. Sparazynski, 56, of South Bend, was arraigned Wednesday in 14A District Court on a charge of negligent homicide, Washtenaw County court records show.
He was released on a $10,000 personal recognizance bond, records show.
Sparazynski was traveling east in a Ford Taurus on I-94 at 9:10 a.m. July 28 when he glanced down at his radio, Michigan State Police Sgt. Chris Pascoe said. Traffic ahead of Sparazysnki was congested because of another accident, Pascoe said.
According to Pascoe, the Taurus struck the rear of a Buick LaCrosse, causing it to overturn and come to rest on the exit ramp to Baker Road. Sparazysnki's car ended up in a ditch next to the ramp, Pascoe said.
The driver of the LaCrosse, Jane Ellen Bailey of Marshall, was taken by ambulance to the University of Michigan Hospital, where she was put on life support and later died of her injuries, troopers said. Her 16-year-old son, who was a passenger in her car, suffered minor injuries, Pascoe said.
Sparazynski also suffered minor injuries, troopers said. He was wearing a seatbelt, but investigators weren't able to determine whether Bailey or her son were wearing seatbelts, Pascoe said.
Pascoe said he didn't know whether Sparazynski slowed down prior to the collision.
There were curved skid marks at the scene, but Pascoe said he didn't know whether those marks were made prior to impact. According to Pascoe, the road was dry at the time.
If convicted, Sparazynski faces up to two years in prison. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Nov. 4.
Lee Higgins covers crime and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached by phone at (734) 623-2527 and e-mail at leehiggins@annarbor.com.
Comments
debling
Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 8:36 p.m.
@Snapshot, you are right about cell phone texting. It is sad when one sees friends mowed down by careless drivers, then the next day can witness a half dozen drivers texting or looking down to punch in phone numbers while they drive along the interstate. Michigan must get tough on those that injure or kill while driving negligently. Whether you are drunk, high on dope or just fiddling with the radio, it is all the same. You take a life, you pay the price.
snapshot
Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 1:31 a.m.
Nonyo, you are right, ace..you know what the point is...lighten up but I agree that accidents happen but our society has reached a point where we always hold the "other" person accountable rather than ourselves. Debling...just because someone is "charged" doesn't mean they are "guilty". I agree with you that we don't "prosecute" distracted driving enough. I still see people texting away on their cell phones while weaving on the freeway and almost every driver has a cell phone to their ear while driving. I'll be glad when those folks start getting "charged" when their involved in an accident.
debling
Sat, Oct 30, 2010 : 6:19 p.m.
@ACE VENTURA, stick to being a pet detective. This was not an "accident" whereby nobody was at fault and the event could not be avoided, it was "negligence" on the part of the driver. That is why he was charged with "negligent homicide".
debling
Sat, Oct 30, 2010 : 6:09 p.m.
What a coincidence. On July 28th, 2009 (exactly one year to the day), Nicholas Wahl of Clinton, claimed he was also "glancing down at his radio" when he hit and killed cyclist Timothy Pincikowski in Pittsfield township. Good news Bernard. The county of Washtenaw does not take distracted driving seriously. If you are lucky, you'll get Judge Morris! You might get a little probation. However, you may have to pay a little fine too. Sorry bout that. Don't want to put you out too much.
Ace Ventura
Sat, Oct 30, 2010 : 9:19 a.m.
People walking get distracted and walk into moving traffic and get injured or killed. People riding bicycles get distracted and drive out into moving traffic and get injured or killed. People driving cars get distracted and injure or kill people riding bicycles or people walking. Cars hit other cars and people get injured or killed. It is not always the fault of the person driving the car, the bicycle or the person walking. Accidents happen its part of life and death.
jcj
Fri, Oct 29, 2010 : 9:07 p.m.
If he had killed a dog he would be sentenced to 30 years.
Ace Ventura
Fri, Oct 29, 2010 : 8:19 p.m.
@nonyo A bicyclist would have no business driving on I94.
BrianR
Fri, Oct 29, 2010 : 3:59 p.m.
Why can't investigators determine whether or not the Bailey's were wearing seat belts? The article says Jane Ellen Bailey's son survived with minor injuries.
nonyo
Fri, Oct 29, 2010 : 2:22 p.m.
Had he killed a bicyclist, he would have gotten off with probation.