An 18-year-old Brandon Township man has been arraigned on a charge of negligent homicide after a June car crash which resulted in the death of a 20-year-old township man.
Joseph Reo was arraigned Sept. 8 on the charge by 52-2 District Court Judge Kelley Kostin and faces up to two years in jail and a $2,000 fine. A preliminary exam was scheduled for Sept. 11 and Reo was released on $500 personal bond.
‘He failed to stop in an assured clear distance and the findings were that he drove in a negligent manner,? said Oakland County Sheriff’s Office Crash Reconstructionist Harry Joseph. ‘Speed was not a factor, it was negligence and a lack of attention. Lack of experience was also an issue.?
Joshua Tolan, a 2007 graduate of Brandon High School, died June 9 at Genesys Regional Medical Center, the day after the crash on Oakwood Road. According to police reports, at about 6:30 p.m., June 8, Tolan was driving a 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier eastbound on Oakwood Road and had stopped or was coming to a stop behind a Chevrolet Aveo that was waiting to turn left onto Legault Boulevard. Reo was driving a 1988 Chevrolet Silverado behind Tolan and failed to stop in time, crashing into the Cavalier, which was pushed into the Aveo, driven by a 50-year-old Lapeer woman who was transported to Lapeer Regional Medical Center with minor injuries.
Alcohol or drug use did not appear to be a factor in the crash, nor was there found to be any vehicle failure, said Joseph.
‘It’s a fitting charge and what I expected,? Joseph said.
‘It’s definitely a tragedy and there are so many more people involved than just the two of them. Both of their parents are dealing with everything.?