Ludington man charged in Lake County fatal crash.

Ludington man charged in Lake County fatal crash.

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By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief.

BALDWIN — A 43-year-old Ludington man is facing several felony charges in relation to a Lake County traffic crash that resulted in the death of a 21-year-old White Cloud man Wednesday, May 30, 2018.

Ralph Dwyer, of Ludington has been charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated causing death, operating a vehicle with a suspended license causing death, and operating a vehicle while intoxicated causing serious injury, according to Lake County Prosecuting Attorney Craig Cooper.

The crash occurred about 6 p.m. on Wednesday when Dwyer apparently lost control of his vehicle on a curve at North Brooks Road and West 9 Mile Road in Eden Township in northern Lake County. The vehicle then struck a tree.

Ralph Dwyer

Cody Horton, 21, of White Cloud, was pronounced dead at the scene, according to a press release from Lake County Sheriff’s Office. Another passenger, Terri Williams, 40, of Baldwin, was taken to Munson Medical Center in Traverse City with critical injuries. Dwyer was transported to the hospital and was treated for minor injuries. Following his release he was arrested by LCSO and lodged in the Lake County Jail. Cooper said bail was set at $250,000 cash.

Operating a vehicle while intoxicated causing death and operating a vehicle with a suspended license causing death, are both felonies punishable by imprisonment up to 15 years or a fine of not less than $2,500.00 or more than $10,000.00, or both. Operating a vehicle while intoxicated causing serious injury is a felony punishable by up to five years imprisonment and/or a fine of $1,000 to $5,000.

Responding to the scene were Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Irons Area Fire Department, Norman Township Fire Department, Life EMS, and the Mid-Mich Medical Examiner.

Cooper said a preliminary examination conference is scheduled for June 12 between the prosecutor’s office and Dwyer’s defense attorney. Another preliminary examination is schedule for June 19.

The crash remains under investigation.