HOWELL, Mich. – New details have emerged about the man behind the wheel of a car police said caused a crash which killed five people in Livingston County.
Matthew Carrier, 22, of Fenton, was arraigned Wednesday morning on second-degree murder charges along with operating while intoxicated and with a suspended license in connection to a crash May 9 which killed 5 people in Oceola Township.
New info about what happened that night at M-59 and Argentine Road is disturbing. According to the prosecutors, this deadly crash could have been prevented. Carrier's history shows he has had a problem with alcohol. It took the judge 15 minutes to read all 19 charges against Carrier.
Carrier broke down in tears several times as the judge read the names of the people who died at the scene of the fiery crash. Police said Carrier blew through a stop sign about 10:30 p.m. and struck another vehicle. Candice Dunn, 35, was killed on her way home from winning the Michigan Department of Corrections 2017 Parole-Probation Agent of the Year award. Dunn's mother and her mother's boyfriend also were killed. Two of Carrier's friends were killed in his car.
"The proof of the defendant's guilt is evident in this case," said prosecuting attorney William Vailliencourt.
Vailliencourt told the judge it was more than just Carrier's blood alcohol level that was well over the legal limit.
"He was driving at a speed approaching 100 miles per hour. Before this incident he was questioned on whether he was too drunk to drive. He was told not to drive, but he acknowledged driving and continued to do so," said the prosecutor. "In fact, the defendant later told police, "That was my choice before I got in the car."
Pattern of bad decisions with alcohol
The judge concluded there is a pattern of bad decisions by Carrier when it comes to alcohol. His license was suspended due to prior alcohol convictions. He was cited twice as a minor in possession of alcohol and one other time for driving while impaired. All of those convictions came before he was 21 years old.
That was enough for the judge to deny bond. He's being held at the Livingston County Jail and is scheduled to be back in court Aug. 2 for a preliminary examination.
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