COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) â A Fremont, Indiana man entered a no contest plea on Tuesday in Branch County Circuit Court to a charge of O.W.I. Causing Death in connection with a Algansee Township crash in June of 2019 which took the lives of three children as well as a unborn child.
23-year-old Tyler Frye entered into a plea agreement that was worked out by Prosecutor Zach Stempien and defense attorney Fred Taylor which calls for Frye to get a prison sentence of between 42 months and 15 years.
In exchange for Fryeâs plea, all other charges will be dismissed by prosecutors. A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for June 30.
By Jim Measel
May 11, 2021 | 1:45 PM
COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) â A Fremont, Indiana man entered a no contest plea on Tuesday in Branch County Circuit Court to a charge of O.W.I. Causing Death in connection with a Algansee Township crash in June of 2019 which took the lives of three children as well as a unborn child.
23-year-old Tyler Frye entered into a plea agreement that was worked out by Prosecutor Zach Stempien and defense attorney Fred Taylor which calls for Frye to get a prison sentence of between 42 months and 15 years.
In exchange for Fryeâs plea, all other charges will be dismissed by prosecutors. A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for June 30.
It forced us to keep our distance, wash our hands and wear masks.
The pandemic led to the cancellation of many yearly events around Branch County including the Branch County Fair, the Bronson Polish Festival, Coldwater’s Strawberryfest and Applefest, the Car Show and Swap Meet and Quincy’s Pints in the Park.
With the Tibbits Opera House forced to shut down, performances of Tibbits Summer Theater were downsized and held outdoors at the Ponds.
The plight of the Capri Drive-In was picked up by national news media outlets as they could not open last spring due to the state’s COVID-19 restrictions. Claiming they had to open in order to survive, the Capri reopened in the middle of May with COVID-19 protocols in place. There was a long line of cars along U.S. 12 that stretched back to the Branch County Memorial Airport on opening night.
Branch County Court House and Clock Tower (photo courtesy Justin Lopshire, Midwest Communications, Inc.)
COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – Incoming Prosecutor Zach Stempien wants current Prosecutor Val White to stay on as his Chief Assistant.
His request was brought forward on Thursday by the Branch County Board of Commissioners to their regular meeting next Tuesday afternoon.
Stempien officially takes over as Branch County Prosecutor on January 1.
White decided last April not seek a full term in office as she had originally planned.
She is instead backed Stempien who was her Chief Assistant Prosecutor at the time.
Stempien defeated former Branch County Prosecutor Terri Norris in the August Republican Primary and was unopposed in the November general election.