Driver who caused crash with injuries receives 6 months in jail. 

Strait

Driver who caused crash with injuries receives 6 months in jail. 

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief.

LUDINGTON — During 51st Circuit Court proceedings on Tuesday, May 24, 2022 21-year-old Ludington man received a sentence of six months in jail and two years probation as the consequence of driving drunk and causing a crash that resulted in injuries of one of his passengers. 

Kegan David Strait, of 720 E. Filer St., formerly from Oceana County, was the driver of a 2011 BMW that crashed into several trees along Lakeshore Drive in October 2021, critically injuring a 17-year-old passenger.

Strait was charged in December by the Mason County Sheriff’s Office.

Both Strait and the teen passenger were hospitalized following the crash, said Mason County Assistant Prosecutor Beth Hand. The BMW was totaled, said Mason County Assistant Prosecutor Beth Hand during an April plea hearing. Both marijuana and alcohol were found in Strait’s system.

The victim was flown via Aeromed to Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital in Grand Rapids with critical injuries.

“Upon the arrival of emergency crews, both front seat occupants were found unconscious and seriously injured,” previously said Sheriff Kim Cole. “The driver — a 20-year-old man from Hart (Strait) — was transported to Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital with serious injuries,” said Cole. “An 18-year-old Oceana County female riding in the back seat was treated at Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

During the April hearing, Judge Susan K. Sniegowski read statements from the victim’s mother that are contained in the pre-sentence investigation report. The mother described that her son was in a coma and had a tracheotomy and feeding tube. He was in intensive care for seven weeks and was using a walker the last time he appeared in court regarding the case.

During his sentencing, Strait said he was sorry for his actions. “I would like to apologize for the very poor decision that I made,” he said. “I apologize to the victims and their families as well.” 

Judge Sniegowski said the guidelines for the crime are serving five to 23 months in jail. “I was somewhat surprised by the recommendations in this case,” the judge said. “I thought there would be a little more upfront time.”

“I think spending a half a year in jail is likely significant to you, Mr. Strait,” Sniegowski said. “Given your young age — I do note the offense took place just before your 21st birthday — this happened, there’s a reason why we have these rules regarding drinking ages, not that people who are over that age don’t make serious mistakes as well. I recognize the other two people in the car were friends of Mr. Strait. You are very lucky to be alive and the other passengers in that car are lucky to be alive. I hope this is a wakeup call. You can make a change and decide that you can be there for yourself and that’s the most important thing. I do hope you stay involved in the recovery group that you have been involved with.” 

– Allison Scarbrough contributed to this story.

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