KEWEENAW COUNTY -- The trial got underway Wednesday for a Calumet man accused of a fatal drunk driving crash.
Thirty-nine-year-old David Paul Simons is facing three charges of operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol causing death, operating a vehicle with a suspended license, and failure to stop at the scene of an accident causing death.
The accident occurred on November 5, 2011 on Five Mile Point Road in Keweenaw County.
Simons' passenger, 53-year-old Jeffery Brusso, was killed in the crash.
The jury heard from witnesses as well as a recording of the 911 call made by Simons at the time of the incident. One of the main points of discussion was whether Simons was in fact intoxicated at the time of the crash.
"What we intend and hope to call a witness who can testify to what the defendant, Mr. Brusso, and what the gathering all took place prior to them getting into that motor vehicle," said the prosecution.
"I believe at the close of this evidence there will be substantial, reasonable doubt that the defendant was operating while intoxicated at the time of the incident," said the defense attorney.
His trial continues Thursday in Keweenaw County.
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forWLUC