Man Arraigned On Charges of Drunk Driving in Arenac County Crash Death

A 42-year-old man is charged in a February 13 drunk driving death in Arenac County.

Police say Jerrud Mikolaiczik had a blood alcohol level of .345, more than four times Michigan’s legal limit of .08, when he allegedly struck another vehicle, killing one person and injuring three others. The crash occurred when Mikolaiczik was heading north on M-76 in Adams Township in a Chevy Silverado. Police say he crossed the center line near South Klein Rd., hitting a Dodge Ram head on. There were several hunting dogs in the back of his truck also, according to police.

The driver of the other truck, 48-year-old Matthew Conn, was killed at the scene. 47-year-old Heather Conn and their two children, eight-year-old Mason and five-year-old Mina, were injured.

Mikolaiczik is charged with three counts of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated causing serious injury and single counts of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated causing death, animal cruelty, carrying a loaded pistol in a motor vehicle, driving without insurance and driving without a license. He has posted 10 percent of a $400,000 bond.

Heather Conn remains in a rehabilitation facility while her children are being cared for by relatives. A Go Fund Me page has been set up to help with medical expenses and has raised nearly $550,000.