An MSU student is charged with three felonies related to an August car crash that claimed the life of MSU junior Joe Barton, a court official said Wednesday.
Melissa Rumrill, a food industry management junior, is charged with felony counts of manslaughter with a motor vehicle, operating under the influence causing death and operating while intoxicated causing serious injury, said Ingham County Assistant Prosecutor Lisa McCormick.
The charges stem from an Aug. 20 accident that killed Barton, a chemistry junior, and injured three others. The car Rumrill allegedly was driving at about 1:30 a.m. caused a three-car collision on U.S. 127.
Friends told The State News that Rumrill and Barton had been drinking the night of the crash, but McCormick and police declined comment Wednesday as to whether alcohol was involved.
If convicted, Rumrill faces a 15-year sentence and $2,500-$10,000 fine for the charge of an OUI causing death, a 15-year sentence for the charge of manslaughter and a five-year sentence and $1,000-$5,000 fine for the charge of an OUI resulting in serious injury.
Rumrill’s pretrial conference is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. May 4 at Lansing’s 54A District Court, 124 W. Michigan Ave.
A preliminary examination is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on May 7, also at Lansing’s 54A District Court. Judge Louise Alderson will preside over the case.
Support student media! Please consider donating to The State News and help fund the future of journalism.
