VAN BUREN COUNTY, MI - A judge sentenced a man to prison for a March 3, 2023 crash that claimed the life of Van Buren County road employee Rene Rangel Jr., WWMT reports.
31-year-old Logan Ryan Brown of Hartford, Michigan, was found guilty in February of operating a vehicle in a work zone causing death and operating without insurance. Prosecutors said Brown was driving a 1997 Dodge pickup truck on County Road 681 in Arlington Township when he tried to pass another pickup.
Brown hit the back of the other pickup and then struck Rangel, a 58-year-old Dowagiac resident. Police said Rangel was holding a traffic control sign at the time he was hit.
While he was convicted on the two charges, Brown was found not guilty of operating a vehicle while intoxicated causing death.
On Monday, Judge Kathleen Brickley sentenced Brown to a minimum of seven years and a maximum of 15 years in prison with credit for 178 days served.
“There appears to be a disregard, or at least minimalization for life, for the life and wellbeing of others," she said during sentencing.
Over two dozen Van Buren County Road Commission workers attended the sentencing to honor Rangel.
Our Michigan car accident lawyer will update this news blog should any additional details become available.
