Traverse City Record-Eagle

Crawford County

September 2, 2008

New charges in pedestrian's death

Neil Pearce was killed in 2007 as he walked along a state highway

By SHERI McWHIRTER

GRAYLING -- A vehicle struck and killed Neil Pearce as he walked along a state highway more than 18 months ago, leaving grieving family members to wonder if and when anyone would be held responsible.

"I really believe (authorities) don't care and they hope it will be forgotten," said Pearce's sister Julia Stach, of Lincoln. "I'm angry and frustrated. I can't understand how it can happen that somebody can do this and get away with it."

But last week authorities charged Grayling resident William Roger Gildner Jr., 47, with operating a vehicle under the influence causing death, a felony.

Gildner faces 15 years in prison and a fine upwards of $10,000, if convicted.

Pearce, of Mio, walked along M-72 west of Grayling late Jan. 18, 2007, when he was struck and killed by a vehicle allegedly driven by Gildner, who did not stop at the scene and told authorities he thought he'd hit a deer.

Gildner eventually was charged with felony failure to stop at the scene of an accident when at fault and causing a death, plus other misdemeanor charges, including driving without a valid license and without insurance.

But those charges were dropped in April this year because Gildner was to be charged with other crimes, court records show.

The new charges came after Pearce's family publicly complained about what they contend was a lack of progress on the case.

It's "more than coincidence" that charges then were filed, Stach said.

"It's just ridiculous that it's taken this long to charge him with anything. I have no faith in the system there. I have no faith it will stick," she said.

Gildner could not be reached for comment and Crawford County Prosecutor John Huss refused to comment.

Huss, who did not seek re-election this year, will be replaced in January by Grayling attorney Everette Ayers, who won the Republican primary election in August and does not face opposition in November. Ayers could not be reached for comment.

Crawford County Sheriff Kirk Wakefield said his department's investigation was completed long ago and he's disappointed it took so long for charges to be filed. Deputies are expected to arrest Gildner soon on the new felony complaint, Wakefield said.

Wakefield also said he's unsure why the charge against Gildner was changed. He thought the previous counts against Gildner could have been easier to prove.

"That was a good charge. That's extremely obvious ... We got the car parts, we got the vehicle and the guy died," he said.

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