NORTON SHORES, Mich. — A man with a history of drunk driving convictions has been charged with the death of a woman in a hit-and-run crash in Norton Shores.
Gregory Asquith, 63, is accused of hitting and killing 53-year-old Frances Houck on Seaway Drive near Norton Avenue in November.
On Friday, he was arraigned on three felonies in connection with the crash. He is facing life in prison because of his history of drunk driving.
Prosecutors allege Asquith was staying at a hotel near the Detroit Metro Airport after the crash, and attempting to flee the country. Muskegon County Prosecutor’s Office Chief Trial Attorney Matt Roberts said he left a large some of money behind in a hotel room as police were getting close to him.
Asquith was eventually arrested at a hospital in Muskegon, where he was being treated for an apparent suicide attempt. Roberts said his passport was inside his truck.
Asquith allegedly went to “great length” to hide the vehicle involved in the crash and removed its vehicle identification number. Prosecutors say he swapped out the vehicle with an identical one to cover it up.
Investigators suspect he was driving under the influence of alcohol because he had been at two bars before the crash.
A preliminary exam is scheduled for Dec. 30. He is being held on a $200,000 bond and will have to surrender his passport and stay in Michigan if he posts bond.
