Authorities ID woman killed in East Bay crash
Woman dies in East Bay crash
TRAVERSE CITY — An East Bay Township man was arraigned Friday on a felony drunken driving charge stemming from a fatal car crash earlier this week.
Michael Currier, 34, was charged in 86th District Court with operating while intoxicated causing death, which carries a maximum 15-year prison sentence. Currier was charged after his pick-up truck turned in front of a vehicle driven by East Township resident Thomas Poertner, 67, at the intersection of High Lake and Willsey roads just after 8 p.m. on Dec. 19.
The crash killed Poertner’s wife, 71-year-old Maureen Poertner.
“Unfortunately, we’re here with another tragedy in the community for drinking and driving,” assistant Grand Traverse County Prosecutor Rachael Henry told 86th District Court Magistrate Tammi Rodgers at Friday’s arraignment.
Rogers set a $50,000 cash or surety bond for Currier. His attorney, Patrick Fragel, said his client has two previous drunken driving convictions, the most recent in 2015 in Colorado. Fragel said his client is “gainfully employed” in the area and that he wasn’t a flight risk.
But Rogers said the high cash bond was warranted because of the risk to public safety, his past ties to other communities and the potential for more charges related to the incident.
Poertner is hospitalized with injuries he sustained in the crash, which remains under investigation, according to the Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s Office.
Rogers said Currier can’t be released on bond until arrangements are made for a continuing alcohol monitoring device for him.
Under the conditions of his bond, he is not permitted to drive, consume alcohol or any controlled substances or to have any contact with the victims.
His next court appearance is set for a Jan. 12 preliminary hearing before District Judge Michael Stepka.