ST. CLAIR COUNTY, MI – A Lapeer County woman accused of causing a December 2022 crash that left one man dead is head to trial.
Maygan Pitonyak of Imlay City was scheduled to appear before St. Clair County District Judge John Monaghan on Tuesday, March 28, for a preliminary examination on charges of second-degree murder, operating a vehicle under the influence causing death, operating a vehicle on a suspended/revoked/denied license causing death and three misdemeanor charges.
However, instead of appearing for the court hearing, Pitonyak and her attorney, Joseph Kosmala, waived her right to a preliminary examination, prompting Monaghan to bind her case over to circuit court.
Once in the higher court, Pitonyak can either proceed to trial, plead as charged or accept a plea agreement if one is offered by prosecutors.
Related: Woman charged in drunken St. Clair County crash that left 1 dead
The charges against Pitonyak stem from a Dec. 17, 2022 incident.
Two pickup trucks driven by underage drinkers left a local bar early in the morning when one attempted to pass the other on Capac Road in Berlin Township, according to the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office.
The trucks collided, sending them both off the roadway before rolling several times. Three people involved in the crash were ejected.
One of the occupants later died.
Read more: Multiple people ejected in 2-vehicle crash caused by alcohol, sheriff’s office says
The drivers were 18 and 19 years old and were intoxicated, the sheriff’s office said. It is believed that all parties involved had been at a local bar where they allegedly were being served alcohol after producing fake ID cards.
In addition to Pitonyak, authorities said the other driver has been charged with operating while intoxicated.
Monaghan also heard and denied a motion for amended bond for Pitonyak, who has been held without bond since her arraignment in January.
Read more at The Flint Journal:
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