Royal Oak Woman Arraigned in Fatal Crash

Kelley Marie Nagle, 20, of Royal Oak was arraigned Tuesday afternoon on two charges from a fatal vehicle accident in Sterling Heights early Sunday morning.

Nagle appeared before 41-A District Court Magistrate Michael Piatek via video monitor. Nagle stood mute as a plea of not guilty was entered on her behalf on charges of operating while intoxicated causing death and operating while intoxicated second offense. The first count is a 15-year felony and the second is a one-year misdemeanor. Bond was set at $100,000 with conditions, including that Nagle is fitted with an alcohol and GPS monitor.

Nagle's father and mother, who broke down in tears, were in the courtroom Tuesday afternoon. Neither would speak on the record about their daughter or the accident.

“This is a horrible tragedy,” said Attorney D. Todd Williams, who represented Nagle in the Sterling Heights courtroom. He refused to comment further.

Sterling Heights Police Lt. Dale Dwojakowski said Nagle was driving a Chevrolet Trailblazer southbound on Dequindre Road, south of 19 Mile Road, shortly after midnight Sunday when she attempted to pass a red Mazda sedan in front of her,  driving head-on into oncoming traffic. Police said her vehicle struck a Ford Ranger, driven by 53-year-old Annette Eileen Evans of Richmond.

Dwojakowski said the incident was a “severe, severe collision,” leaving the victim pinned in her vehicle. The woman was transported to William Beaumont Hospital, Troy, where she was pronounced dead.

No one else involved in the accident was injured.

Williams said Nagle attends school and is employed. He told the magistrate that although this is an unfortunate tragedy, her job and family are here and asked that reasonable bond be set. Williams said Nagle splits her residency between the Royal Oak and Troy homes of her parents, who are divorced.

A preliminary exam is set for 9 a.m. Jan. 31. in 41-A District Court before Chief Judge Stephen S. Sierawski.