Man arraigned in chase, crash that killed Ingham County deputy

John C. Kelsey II charged in death of deputy Grant Whitaker

MASON, Mich. – A 34-year-old man has been arraigned in the death of an Ingham County sheriff's deputy who crashed his patrol car during a chase earlier this month.

John C. Kelsey II of Stockbridge was charged Monday in Mason's 55th District Court with first-degree fleeing/eluding causing death and operating a vehicle on a suspended license causing death.

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Deputy Grant Whitaker was chasing an SUV before the crash Dec. 7 near Stockbridge, about 40 miles southeast of Lansing. The 25-year-old's funeral was Friday. A $10,000 reward was offered for information about the driver and passengers in the SUV.

Whitaker was a sheriff's deputy for less than two years after serving with police departments in Stockbridge and Waterloo Township. He was a graduate of Stockbridge High School.

A memorial fund has been set up at Mason State Bank in Mason.

Kelsey's bond is set at $1 million. It was not immediately clear if he had an attorney.

A preliminary hearing has been set for Dec. 23.


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