A suspect in the killing of Van Buren County Road Commission worker Rene Rangel has been arrested and charged.
The Van Buren County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office announced Monday they have authorized the following charges against the unnamed adult suspect for the March 3 incident at County Road 681 and 48th Avenue in Lawrence Township:
- Operating While Intoxicated Causing Death – 15-year felony
- Moving Violation Causing Death in a Work or School Bus Zone – 15-year felony
- Motor Vehicle – Operation Without Security – 1 year misdemeanor
The suspect was arrested Monday by the Michigan State Police and is lodged at the Van Buren County jail awaiting arraignment on the charges.
According to the initial report, Rangel – a Dowagiac resident – was was holding a traffic control sign on northbound CR 681 when he was struck by a Dodge pickup driven by a 30-year-old Hartford man. Troopers said the driver failed to follow traffic controls and read-ended a stopped Chevy pickup after trying to pass it. While attempting to pass, the Dodge struck Rangel.
