The Associated Press
TRAVERSE CITY, Mich.- A Grand Traverse Metro Fire Department firefighter has been charged with negligent homicide, more than five months after the fire truck he was driving was involved in a fatal crash.
Firefighter Cory Carlton, 26, was arraigned and released on a $1,000 personal-recognizance bond after surrendering Thursday. He could face up to two years in prison if convicted of the misdemeanors, the Traverse City Record-Eagle reported.
Prosecutors allege Carlton was on the way to an emergency call when he sped through a stoplight March 8 and struck a sports utility vehicle driven by Matthew Garrisi, 28. The collision in Grand Traverse County’s Garfield Township killed Garrisi’s wife, Rebecca Garrisi, 28, and the couple’s 11-month-old son Jesse.
Antrim County Prosecutor Charles Koop authorized the charges. The state attorney general’s office appointed Koop special prosecutor after Grand Traverse County Prosecutor Alan Schneider asked for a conflict-of-interest review.
Sheriff’s investigators said it appeared Carlton went through a red light without slowing to check for oncoming traffic. Michigan law says emergency vehicles may proceed past a red light “only after slowing down as may be necessary for safe operation.”
Carlton’s attorney, Roger Wotila, of Cadillac, said criminal charges aren’t warranted.
“It was an accident, and every accident is not a crime,” Wotila said. “It was a tragedy, but not a criminal action.”
Carlton returned to work shortly after the crash but was banned from driving emergency equipment, Fire Chief Wayne Hanna said. Carlton will be suspended while until the charges against him are resolved, Hanna said.
Matthew Garrisi filed a civil suit against the fire department in June on behalf of his wife and son.