Whitehall man charged with vehicular death of Christopher Kapala.

Whitehall man charged with vehicular death of Christopher Kapala.

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief.

#MasonCountyCrime.

LUDINGTON — Nicholas Francis Kawula, 33, of Whitehall, has been arraigned in 79th District Court on the charge in connection to the vehicular death of Christopher Patrick Kapala, 40, of Scottville.

Kawula has been charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated, causing death, a felony punishable by up to 15 years imprisonment and/or a fine between $2,500 and $10,000.

The crash occurred Saturday, Dec. 14, 2019 on US 31 north of Freeman Road in Free Soil Township about 4:26 a.m. 

According to Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole, the investigation determined that Kawula’s vehicle was traveling southbound on US 31, crossed the centerline, and struck Kapala’s northbound vehicle head-on. Kapala died on the scene.

Kawula was transported by ambulance to Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital with serious injuries and was then transferred to Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids for advanced care.

Kawula is scheduled to appear in 79th District Court for a preliminary examination on Wednesday, March 11 at 11:15 a.m.

The investigation was performed by Mason County Sheriff’s Office, Michigan State Police and the Michigan State Police Crime Lab.