MENOMINEE -- The trial of a man accused of fleeing the scene of a fatal accident and removing the body began today in Menominee.
Authorities say 39-year-old Richard Jacques of Menominee struck and killed 41-year-old Brett Ingram with his van while intoxicated and then removed the body from the scene the next morning.
The two men were friends and had reportedly been drinking together all day. The incident happened on December 18, 2010.
Jacques is charged with leaving the scene of an accident causing death, leaving the scene where a death occurred, operating while intoxicated causing death, and removing a body without the permission of the coroner.
“This was not an accident,” said Dan Haas. “This was Mr. Jacques driving his vehicle drunk, running Brett over, leaving the scene of an accident, not notifying police, not rendering aid.”
Jacques has admitted leaving the scene and removing the body. But the defense argued the victim was walking in the road and the accident was unavoidable. They're also disputing the operating while intoxicated causing death charge.
The trial will continue Wednesday morning.
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