UPDATE: Case for Semi driver arrested in deadly L’Anse gas station crash moves to circuit court

L’ANSE, Mich. (WLUC) - The case for an Illinois semi truck driver who crashed into a L’Anse gas station is headed to circuit court.

Dawaun K. Johnson appeared in Baraga County District Court today for a preliminary exam Tuesday morning.

His case will now move to Circuit Court, where he is scheduled for a pretrial conference. The date for that court hearing has not yet been scheduled.

Johnson faces two felonies — operating while intoxicated causing death and operating while intoxicated causing serious injury. He is also charged with a misdemeanor, alcohol-open container in a vehicle.

He was arrested in October after his semi truck veered off of US-41 and crashed into the Holiday Gas Station, resulting in the death of a man who was fueling up at the gas station when the crash occurred and the injury of an attendant who was working.

Last published: Mar 27, 2023 2:26:25 PM

The Illinois man facing charges after crashing into a L’Anse gas station, resulting in the death of one man, will appear in court again in April.

Dawaun K. .Johnson was originally scheduled to appear for a preliminary exam in Dec. That hearing was adjourned to Feb. 14, and again to March 28. Now, he is not scheduled to appear for the preliminary exam until April 18 at 10:00 a.m.

The Baraga County District Court said today’s hearing was rescheduled because necessary witnesses from the Michigan State Police had to be in Lower Michigan for training.

Last published: Feb 28, 2023 1:16:58 PM

The Illinois man facing charges after crashing into a L’Anse gas station, resulting in the death of one man, will appear in court again in March.

Dawaun K. Johnson was originally scheduled for a preliminary exam Dec. 13. That hearing was pushed to Feb. 14, before being adjourned again March 28. He will appear at 10:00 a.m. that morning in Baraga County District Court.

Johnson is charged with two felonies: operating while intoxicated causing death and operating while intoxicated causing serious injury. He is also charged with one misdemeanor, having an open alcohol container in a vehicle.

His surety bond is still set at $100,000.

Last published: Nov 10, 2022 8:35 AM

An Illinois man arrested for crashing into a L’Anse gas station, striking the pumps, starting a fire and killing a man, is facing two additional charges in Baraga County District Court.

22-year-old Dawaun K. Johnson who was originally charged with operating while intoxicated causing death, is now also being charged with one count of operating while intoxicated causing serious injury and one count of alcohol open container in vehicle.

Johnson is scheduled to be back in court for a preliminary exam in Baraga County District Court on December 13.

Last published: Oct 18, 2022 5:50:32 AM

The semi-truck driver accused of crashing into a L’Anse gas station, striking the pumps, starting a fire and killing a man made his first court appearance Monday morning.

Dawaun K. Johnson, 22, of University Park, Ill. was arraigned on a 15-year felony charge of operating while intoxicated causing death. Johnson stood mute in the Baraga County District Court hearing.

Johnson has been released on a $100,000 surety bond. He is allowed to leave the state but must return for his next court date. Johnson is scheduled for a probable cause conference on November 1 and a preliminary exam on November 8.

Al Dantes Jr. died after Thursday night’s crash. He was fueling up when the semi Johnson was driving hit the pumps. A GoFundMe has been set up for his family.

A gas station employee was also injured. No update has been given on their condition.

Baraga County Prosecutor Joseph O’Leary says Johnson’s blood alcohol content level cannot be publicly released at this time because the investigation is ongoing.

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