Judge rules man awaiting trial in teacher's traffic death must remain in Michigan

A judge denied a motion to allow Justin Simon, 45, to travel out of state while awaiting trial for the traffic crash death of a Port Huron Northern High School teacher.

Simon, who is from Tennessee, was visiting Michigan on a hunting trip in during the Oct. 20 crash, according to investigators. In his motion, he asked the court to allow him to leave the state to return home and run his business until his jury trial, which is scheduled to begin Sept. 10.

Circuit Court Judge Daniel Damman denied the motion to modify the bond Monday, requiring Simon to remain in Michigan until the trial is complete.

Simon was arrested after he was involved in the crash on Lakeshore Road in Fort Gratiot. He reportedly admitted to the St. Clair County Sheriff's Office he had been drinking, and deputies reportedly found open alcohol containers in the vehicle.

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Four days after the crash Ashley Nisbett, 33, the driver of the other vehicle in the crash, died at McLaren Macomb. Her death left the Blue Water Area in shock, particularly the students and staff at Port Huron Northern High School. Simon's charge was changed from operating while intoxicated causing injury to operating while intoxicated causing death.

Both Simon and the St. Clair County Prosecutor's Office have said in court there is no plea deal being considered in the case, and the case is expected to proceed with its scheduled jury trial. The deadline to plea to a reduced charge has passed, meaning if the parties did reach a plea deal, Simon would have to plead guilty as charged.

If convicted, Simon faces up to 15 years in prison.

Contact Johnathan Hogan at jhogan@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: Judge rules man awaiting trial in teacher's traffic death must remain in Michigan