Manton man faces homicide charges in relation to US 10 fatal crash.

Wellington

Manton man faces homicide charges in relation to US 10 fatal crash.

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief.

LUDINGTON — David Allen Wellington, 27, of 7119 E. 12 Road, Manton, was arraigned in 79th District Court today, Wednesday, March 3, 2021, and faces seven criminal counts including two counts of second degree murder, two counts of operating a vehicle while intoxicated causing death, one count of operating a vehicle while intoxicated causing miscarriage/stillbirth, one county of failing to stop at the scene of an accident resulting in death, one count of operating without a license, and also a count of habitual offender fourth time. 

Wellington was the driver of a 2010 Jeep Patriot that was involved in a crash that killed three people Monday afternoon on US 10 in Walhalla. Killed in the crash were David Lee Mclain-Williams, 24, who was driving a 2005 Buick Terraz, his girlfriend Ashley Nicole Plotts, 22, both of Scottville, along with their unborn baby son, David, Jr. Plotts was 8-months-pregnant. 

Mason County Sheriff’s Office investigators have determined Wellington’s vehicle struck Mclain-Williams’ vehicle at an excessive speed. Wellington was traveling west with his destination being Shelby in Oceana County while Mclain-William. was traveling east. During the arraignment Mason County Magistrate Glenn Jackson stated that investigators determined that Wellington was travel about 90 mph. He also stated that a blood draw at the hospital concluded that Wellington’s blood alcohol content was .15, the legal limi is .08. Deputies also found marijuana in Wellington’s vehicle.

Immediately following the crash, Wellington fled the crash scene on foot. A Mason County Sheriff’s Office deputy and a Michigan Department of Natural Resources conservation officer tracked him for approximately 1/2 mile before locating him with the assistance of citizens in the area.

According to Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole, McLain-Williams was pronounced dead at the scene. Passersby and first responders performed CPR on Plotts on the scene. She was then transported to Ludington hospital where she and the baby were pronounced dead. 

After being apprehended, Wellington was transported by ambulance to Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries. He was then arrested and lodged in the Mason County Jail, where he remains on a $500,000 cash/surety bond. Mason County Prosecuting Attorney Lauren Kreinbrink stated during the arraignment that Wellington was not a resident of Mason County and that the charges were extremely serious, which is why she asked for a high bond. Magistrate Jackson stated that the public safety risk of Wellington being on the street is severe. 

Second degree murder is a felony that carries a maximum penalty of life in prison. Operating a vehicle while intoxicated causing death, carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison. Operating while intoxicated causing a miscarriage or stillbirth, carries a maximum of 15 years in prison. Failure to stop at the scene of an accident resulting in death carries a maximum of five years in prison. Operating without a license is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in jail.  The habitual fourth time offender charge is punishable by a maximum penalty of life in prison. 

Wellington has an extensive criminal history. 

On May 12, 2014, he was sentenced in Oceana County’s 27th Circuit Court to up to five years in prison for committing/procuring gross indecency between a male and a female. The offense took place on April 3, 2013. He was discharged on Oct. 26, 2015. 

On Feb. 11, 2015, Wellington, who was living in Rothbury at the time, was sentenced in Oceana County’s 27th Circuit Court, to serve up to five months in jail for larceny of items from a residence three days before Christmas. 

On Oct. 26, 2015 , Wellington, who was living in Shelby at the time, was sentenced in Oceana County’s 27th Circuit Court to 18 months to five years in prison for violating his probation in relation to the gross indecency sentence. He was discharged from prison on Aug. 30, 2018. During sentencing, Judge Anthony A. Monton sentenced Wellington in “excess of the guidelines,” he said, “considering the numerous amount of violations.” Wellington “exhausted all his remedies for local county jail time,” said his attorney, Rick Prysock. “I did what I did; I messed up; there’s no excuse,” Wellington said.

On July 19, 2018, Wellington, who was living in Hart at the time, was sentenced in Oceana County’s 78th District Court for marijuana possession and was sentenced to one year discretionary jail.

On Aug. 14, 2018, was found guilty in Oceana County’s 78th District Court on driving while license suspended and sentenced to 93 days discretionary jail. 

On May 7, 2019, he was sentenced in Kalkaska County’s 46th Circuit Court to three years in prison for two counts of fourth degree criminal sexual conduct. The offense took place on Jan. 1, 2005. He was discharged on July 30, 2020.

A preliminary examination  is scheduled for March 17, 2021 at 1:45 p.m. 

Editor’s Note: A person accused of a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty. 

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