Man get prison in Michigan crash that killed fire chief

KALAMAZOO, Mich. – A 24-year-old man who pleaded guilty to reckless driving in connection with a freeway crash that killed a fire chief in southern Michigan has been sentenced to 3 1/2 to 15 years in prison.

Brandon Clevenger of Battle Creek learned his punishment Monday in a Kalamazoo courtroom and said he accepted “full responsibility.”

Investigators say Clevenger was driving nearly 90 mph (145 kph) and was distracted by his cellphone just before striking a median wall last June. His vehicle crossed lanes of Interstate 94 in Comstock Township, 135 miles (220 kilometres) west of Detroit.

Comstock Township Fire Chief Edward Switalski died after being struck as he responded to another crash.

Switalski worked for more than three decades at Pleasantview Fire District in suburban Chicago before becoming Comstock Township chief in 2013.

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