Could Michigan do more to stop repeat drunk drivers?

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Three days before Christmas 2016,  Mikelle Besemer opened the door of the apartment she shared with her  mother to find her brother and two police officers. They were there to  tell her that her mother, 62-year-old Judy Besemer, had been killed in a  car crash.

Michigan State Police say James Williams was driving east on Knapp  Street NE in northeast Grand Rapids when he ran a red light at the East  Beltline and plowed into Besemer’s northbound SUV. Besemer was less than  a quarter-mile from home.

She was rushed to the hospital, where she died. She left behind two children and seven grandchildren.

Williams, 50, of northeast Kent County, is now charged with driving drunk causing death. Michigan's sentencing guidelines  suggest he be sentenced to 19 to 39 months in prison -- though a judge  could go above that.

Full Story on WOODTV8


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