After admitting to police Saturday night that he had 10 beers before getting in the car, Michael Karinen of Imlay City was arraigned in Huron County District Court Wednesday, June 29, on three charges related to this past weekend’s traffic crash and death in Hume Township.
Karinen, 58, had been driving east on Oak Beach Road in his Subaru when he disregarded the stop sign, causing the vehicle to collide with a southbound Yamaha motorcycle. Unfortunately, the motorcycle rider, 32-year-old Eldon C. Pierson of Harbor Beach, died of his injuries at the scene. Karinen is charged with operating while intoxicated– causing death; and two charges related to previous OWI’s.
With this allegedly being Karinen’s sixth OWI, which could result in up to 15 years in prison, Prosecuting Attorney Tim Rutowski recommended a bond of $500,000, deeming Karinen as a possible flight risk. While Judge David B. Herrington agreed that he was a “substantial danger to the community,” the judge set the bond at $350,000 instead.
Karinen’s probable cause hearing is set for July 7th, at 10:30 a.m., with a preliminary hearing set for July 20th.
