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SHELBY TOWNSHIP — A Macomb County jury in 41A District Court found Westland resident Jose Eugenio Medina-Hernandez guilty of two misdemeanor charges in relation to a traffic crash that killed two women in June, and on Dec. 30 a judge sentenced him to 270 days in jail with credit for time served, plus probation, community service, a fine and court costs.
On June 6, Medina-Hernandez, age 33, was driving a box truck southbound on M-53 in Shelby Township when he rear-ended a Buick Verano, which triggered a chain reaction involving two other vehicles. The Buick occupants, 88-year-old Nancy Richmond and her daughter, 63-year-old Crystal Brunn, were killed in the crash. Medina-Hernandez was charged with two counts of moving violation causing death, which are one-year misdemeanors.
According to the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office, Medina-Hernandez has four previous car accidents, but his attorney, Mani Khavajian, said Medina-Hernandez has two previous car accidents. Judge Douglas P. Shepherd sentenced Medina-Hernandez to 270 days in jail, two years of probation after the jail term and 50 hours of community service.
The victims’ family members were in the courtroom and were satisfied with the judge’s sentence, according to the Prosecutor’s Office. Due to Hernandez being from Mexico, he might be facing deportation, which would separate him from his wife and children. The sentencing is depending on whether or not he is deported, which would not allow him to complete the requirements of the sentencing.
The judge had mentioned that the family had written impact letters, which he had read while taking into consideration his sentencing. He said cases like this are not easy. Hernandez did not have any prior record.
Medina-Hernandez’s attorney, Mani Khavajian, said he thinks this case was horrific and a huge tragedy.
“There were a lot of losses. Both from the victims’ families and my client’s family. He is being torn apart from his family. He came to this country seeking safety and shelter, seeking asylum. There was a white van in this case that caused this accident. There were witnesses who mention this white van. There was corroborating witness statements about the white van, but the Macomb County police department didn’t want to believe it. The chief of police held a press conference where he vilified my client for being an immigrant rather than asking members of the community to step forward to bring up information about this white van. We could have done a full investigation, but what do we do around Christmas? We vilify the immigrant,” he said.
When then-vice presidential candidate JD Vance held a press conference Aug. 7 outside the Shelby Township Police Department, immigration and recent incidents in Shelby Township were among the topics discussed.
Medina-Hernandez was able to speak to the victims’ family members at court Dec. 30 and apologized.
“I am very sorry. It was not heartless. I also have losses. I have never had issues with immigration. I am very sorry for your loss,” he said through a translator.
Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido said he thanked the Macomb County jury “who delivered justice for the families who lost their loved ones in this tragic and preventable crash” after Medina-Hernandez’s conviction Dec. 12.
“Our thoughts continue to be with the victims’ families as they navigate the healing process after this profound loss,” he said in a prepared statement Dec. 30.
