MARQUETTE -- The suspect in a fatal Fourth of July hit and run in Marquette is headed to Circuit Court.
Thirty-year-old Luke Eugene Huotari waived his preliminary examination in Marquette District Court Monday morning. The Gwinn man is charged with two felonies, each punishable by up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
The accident in South Marquette claimed the life of Karin LaChapelle of Marquette. Her husband, Bryan LaChapelle, was treated for serious injuries and later released.
Huotari left the scene of the accident but was arrested three days later.
Huotari's attorney, Karl Numinen, requested that his client's bond be reduced.
"This was an accident," said Numinen. "What happened in this situation was an accident; what happened afterwards is a matter that will be addressed later on in other proceedings."
Huotari's bond was lowered from $500,000 on each count to $100,000 each.
He will be arraigned in Marquette County Circuit Court on August 17.
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