A Michigan woman has been charged with reckless driving causing death after admitting to using her phone during a fatal car crash in February. Courtney Niezgoda, 27, of Riley Township, could face up to 15 years in prison following the incident that left 63-year-old Tina Yaney dead. Niezgoda was arraigned this Monday, as reported by Macomb Daily.
On the morning of Feb. 2, Niezgoda was driving her Ford EcoSport on M-53 near 32 Mile Road in Washington Township when she failed to halt at a red light and collided with another vehicle. Despite the urgent care provided, Yaney, who was in the vehicle struck by Niezgoda, was pronounced dead after being taken to the hospital. Niezgoda, having been released from the hospital two days post-accident, now faces strict bond conditions including no social media use and the requirement of maintaining employment, detailed by CBS News Detroit.
The Macomb County Sheriff's Office reported that Niezgoda was using GPS on her phone at the time of the accident. However, Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido stated, "The alleged reckless behavior of using social media while driving, led to a tragic and entirely preventable loss of life," as WWJ Newsradio relayed. Her bond has been set at $50,000 cash/surety.
A probable cause hearing is scheduled for June 24th, where Niezgoda will face charges. "These alleged actions demonstrate a complete disregard for the safety of others, and she must be held accountable for the devastating consequences of her choices," Lucido added, as per WWJ Newsradio. Apart from the bond conditions, the judge has ordered Niezgoda to abstain from alcohol and drug use, as well as driving, after having been immediately taken into custody and transported to Macomb County Jail, according to the Macomb Daily.
