GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WXMI) — An 18-year-old is facing charges in connection with a deadly May crash.
Christopher Garcia-Puente is facing the following charges: second-degree murder, reckless driving causing death and operating while intoxicated.
On May 3, a woman was killed after police say a vehicle was driving north on Division Avenue, ran a red light and hit her vehicle that was traveling on 28th Street.
The woman was pronounced dead at the scene. She was the only person in the vehicle.
There were three people in the other vehicle. At least one person in that vehicle suffered serious injuries.
Police say Garcia-Puente was arrested in Iowa late last week. He will be arraigned after he is extradited to Michigan.
“A murder charge is highly unusual in a drunk driving crash, but based on the investigation, I fully support the decision by the Prosecutor’s Office to move forward with that charge,” Deputy Chief PJ Baker said in a statement. “I commend our Traffic Unit on their expertise and diligent work. While nothing can take away the pain and loss for the victim’s family, I hope the seriousness of these charges brings them some sense of justice.”
