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Woman charged in hit-and-run crash that killed WMU student

Posted at 4:05 PM, Jun 16, 2016
and last updated 2016-06-16 18:38:41-04
Morgan Rowley mug

Morgan Rowley (Photo from the Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Department)

KALAMAZOO COUNTY, Mich. -- A 22-year-old woman was formally charged Thursday in connection with a hit-and-run crash that killed a Western Michigan University student.

Morgan Rowley was arraigned at the Kalamazoo County Courthouse on charges of operating while intoxicated causing death and failing to stop at a personal injury accident, when at fault, causing death.   She faces a maximum of 30 years in prison if convicted on both charges.

Nicholas Heil, 21, was jogging in the 5400 block of KL Avenue in Oshtemo Township on May 11 when he was hit by a white SUV.  He was taken to the hospital and later died.

Police say Rowley's blood alcohol level was nearly twice the legal limit during the crash.

Rowley previously pleaded guilty to a drunk driving charge in 2015.  She spent four days in jail and received a year of probation.