Traverse City Record-Eagle

Archive: Tuesday

September 11, 2012

Man who caused fatal cycle crash pleads guilty

June 5 crash on Karlin Road killed Dale Lovett, 58

By ART BUKOWSKI abukowski@record-eagle.com

TRAVERSE CITY — A man who caused a traffic crash that killed a Thompsonville motorcyclist pleaded guilty to a felony criminal charge.

Chad Michael Hedrick, 28, on Monday pleaded guilty to a count of attempted operating with a revoked or suspended license causing death. He faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison when he's sentenced Sept. 28.

Authorities said Hedrick caused a June 5 crash along Karlin Road near the Green Lake Township park. The crash killed Dale Robert Lovett, 58, who was on a motorcycle.

Hedrick, who drove a Buick Park Avenue, turned into the park from the south lane and pulled in front of Lovett, who drove north. The vehicles collided, and Lovett, who wore a helmet, was thrown from his motorcycle. He died at Munson Medical Center.

Hedrick never had a valid Michigan driver's license, authorities said. He was licensed to drive in Florida because he used to live there, but that license was suspended after a citation and never reactivated because Hedrick didn't pay fees.

Prosecutors dismissed a count of operating with a revoked or suspended license causing death in exchange for the plea. Hedrick would have faced a much higher maximum prison term if convicted of that count.

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