Commerce Township man charged with misdemeanor in fatal motorcycle crash

(CBS DETROIT) - A 59-year-old Commerce Township man is facing a misdemeanor charge in a crash that resulted in the death of 40-year-old motorcyclist.

The Oakland County Sheriff's Office says the man turned himself in on Friday and was arraigned on a moving violation causing death charge.

The crash happened during the night of June 16 on Wixom Road near Stratford Villa Way in Commerce Township.

The man was driving a Toyota Sienna on Wixom Road and approaching Stratford Villa Way when he struck a stopped motorcycle driven by 40-year-old Joshua Moomaw, according to the sheriff's office. The motorcyclist was waiting to make a turn onto Stratford Villa Way.

Authorities say 59-year-old failed to observe the stopped motorcycle, and that alcohol and drugs were not factors in the crash.

Moomaw died from his injuries on June 24. His 41-year-old wife, who was also on the motorcycle, was taken to the hospital for her injuries and later released. The sheriff's office says neither person was wearing a helmet.

A pretrial conference is scheduled for Oct. 16. If convicted, the man could face up to one year in jail and a fine of $2,000.

Last week, a 21-year-old man died after crashing his motorcycle while drunk in Commerce Township . The autopsy showed Lucas Horsch had a blood alcohol level of 0.12% at the time of the crash. Under Michigan law, a driver is considered intoxicated at 0.08% or above.