Legal proceedings surrounding an Atlas Township man accused of killing a Genesee County Road Commission worker last June moved forward this week.
Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton said a preliminary examination for John Quillen, 64, was scheduled to wrap up Feb.14 in 67th District Court with Judge David Goggins presiding. Quillen was arraigned Oct. 17, 2006 in Central District Court on charges of involuntary manslaughter and operating a motor vehicle causing death while driver’s license was revoked or suspended.
The charges came in response to the death of Dennis Bundy, 48, of Flushing. Bundy was doing survey work for the GCRC near the intersection of M-15 and Maple Road in the township on the morning of June 22, 2006 and was apparently crossing the road when he was struck by a southbound 2006 Chevy Trailblazer allegedly driven by Quillen.
Leyton said both charges carry a maximum sentence of 15 years, which can be served concurrently if Quillen is convicted of both.
Leyton previously told The Citizen Quillen had a record of driving infractions. Additionally, Genesee County Sheriff’s Department Captain Christopher Swanson told The Citizen last June that while neither speed nor alcohol are believed to have been factors, the driver was operating his vehicle with a revoked license due to a vision impairment.
Leyton said the responsibility of the prosecution in a preliminary examination is two-fold. First, they must establish probable cause that a crime was committed. Next, prosecutors must show probable cause that the defendant committed that crime. Only if those qualifications were met could this case proceed to trial.
Though the accident occurred nearly eight months ago, Leyton said the legal process could continue as long as another year in this case.