Toledo man charged with impaired driving in fatal Michigan crash

MONROE — A Toledo man charged in the death of a Michigan motorcyclist in a fatal traffic crash in May has been arraigned, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office said.

Stacey R. Dillard, 55, is charged with operating a vehicle while impaired, causing death, and driving with a suspended license, causing death, in a fatal crash that took the life of Christopher L. Taylor, 49, of Trenton, Mich.

Mr. Dillard was taken into custody by the U.S. Marshals Service and booked into the Lucas County jail in Toledo on Oct. 2.

He waived extradition back to Michigan in Lucas County Common Pleas Court and was transported to Monroe, where he was booked into the Monroe County jail.

Mr. Dillard was arraigned in 1st District Court in Monroe before Judge Christian J. Horkey, where his bond was set at $500,000 on Tuesday.

Mr. Taylor was driving northbound on his motorcycle in the center lane of I-75 near Bays Road in Erie Township about 9:30 p.m. on May 25 when witnesses said he was side-swiped by Mr. Dillard, who was moving at high speed, the office reported.

Mr. Dillard made a lane change from the left lane to the right lane, sideswiping Mr. Taylor in the process, the sheriff’s office said.

Mr. Taylor was thrown from his motorcycle and came to rest against the median barrier wall, while the car also veered into the median wall and then caromed back into the center lane, facing the wrong way, according to the sheriff’s office.

The crash remains under investigation by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.