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Man enters plea in crash that killed Comstock Twp. fire chief

Posted at 2:30 PM, Dec 14, 2017
and last updated 2017-12-14 14:32:02-05

COMSTOCK TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) — A 24-year-old man has entered a plea in connection with a freeway crash that killed a fire chief in southern Michigan.

Brandon Clevenger pleaded guilty Thursday in Kalamazoo County Circuit Court to reckless driving causing death. His sentencing is Jan. 29.

Investigators have said Clevenger of Battle Creek was driving nearly 90 mph 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 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.