A man who was charged in connection with a fatal DUI is due to be re-sentenced now. The decision to re-sentence comes from the state Court of Appeals. Kent County Prosecutor confirmed on Wednesday, March 26, that the opinion of the court is being reviewed to see if the prosecution would file an appeal against it.
The case revolved around a fatal incident that took place on September 15, 2017. Douglas Crystal, 38, of Cedar Springs was heading home when he hit another vehicle at the Ritchie Avenue NE and 15 Mile Road. Despite a stop sign, Crystal continued driving at speeds of 90 mph. The vehicle he hit had a mother and her 5-year-old twins.
The mother was identified as Meranda Baguss, 33, of Sand Lake. Baguss’ twin sons, Chauncey and Tony, were also with her at the time. Due to the sheer impact of the collision, Baguss sustained critical injuries and died. Her twin sons sustained critical injuries.
Crystal fled the site of the accident and was apprehended by the police several hours later. A DUI charge against him was then based on the testimony of the witnesses. In the case that followed, Crystal was sentenced to 10 years in prison. However, this sentence was in violation of the advisory sentencing guidelines, as noted in the opinion of the state Court of Appeals. According to the Court’s opinion, a prison sentence of 3.5 to 7 years is advised in such a case. For this reason, the Court has opined that the suspect will be re-sentenced.
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