Nicholas Kawula, 33, of Whitehall has been charged with an accident which resulted in the death of one person. Kawula is convicted of causing the accident on December 14, 2019.

He was driving northbound on the US-31 when the crash happened. According to subsequent investigations by the authorities, it was revealed that Kawula was returning from a Christmas party in Traverse City where he had been consuming alcohol.

Just north of the Freeman Road in the Free Soil Township, Kawula drove across the center line and came directly in the path of another vehicle. This led to a head-on collision with the other car. Christopher Kapala, 40, was driving the other vehicle. He sustained critical injuries in the crash and died at the spot.

Kawula was also seriously injured and rushed to a hospital where he subsequently recovered. His blood was tested for alcohol in the wake of the crash and the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was found to be well above the legal limit of 0.08%.

Investigations continued into the accident following the death of the other driver. It was only now that the investigations were completed and a formal charge was brought against Kawula. Mason County Sheriff’s Office had been leading the investigations, assisted by other agencies as well.

One count of operating a vehicle under the influence causing death has been brought against Kawula. The charge is a felony in Michigan and carries a penalty of up to 15 years in prison along with up to $10,000 in fines.

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