GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — A man who was drunk when he caused a deadly crash in northeastern Kent County last year will spend years in a state prison.
Ralph Reichard Jr., 34, was sentenced to between 6.25 and 15 years for operating under the influence of liquor causing death and driving on a suspended, revoked or denied license causing death, as well as between 3.17 years and five years for both OUIL and diving on a suspended, revoked or denied license causing serious injury.
Those sentences will be served concurrently.
He will also have to pay $301,000 in restitution to the estate of Christina Kent, who was killed in the crash, and the four other people who were injured.
An undated courtesy photo of Christina Kent.
The crash happened on Nov. 25, 2017, near the intersection of Sparta Avenue and Ball Creek Road in Sparta Township, between Sparta and Kent City. Authorities say Reichard crossed the center lane and hit a northbound SUV head on. Kent, 39, of Cedar Springs, died at the scene. Reichard Jr. and four others were injured.