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ESCANABA -- A Rapid River man has pleaded no contest to multiple charges, including homicide, after a fatal crash in 2025 in which he was accused of driving drunk.
David Brandon Abruzzo, 46, entered the plea Oct. 1 in the Delta County 47th Circuit Court to one felony count of homicide -- manslaughter with a motor vehicle; one felony count of operating a vehicle with a high blood alcohol content causing death with a prior conviction; and one felony count of reckless driving causing death.
The plea was as a fourth habitual offender, meaning all the charges will carry the maximum penalty of life in prison. According to court documents, the alleged offense occurred within seven years of Abruzzo's previous felony conviction for operating while intoxicated or operating under the influence of liquor or drugs.
Abruzzo further agreed to serve a minimum sentence of 30 years in prison.
In exchange for his plea, Delta County Prosecuting Attorney Lauren Wickman agreed to dismiss the second-degree murder charge against Abruzzo.
In August, attorney Trenton Stupak said in court Abruzzo wished to proceed to a jury trial rather than accept a standing plea offer from Wickman.
With Abruzzo's plea, the jury trial scheduled for the week of Nov. 16 has been canceled. Abruzzo is instead scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 16.
Abruzzo was accused of driving on 513 T Road in Ensign Township just after 10 a.m. Eastern time June 1 when his vehicle crossed the center line and collided with another, causing the death of 60-year-old Mark Joseph Chechak.
Chechak was a well-known member of the community. In 2024, he and his wife, Jamie, purchased Gladstone Deli and Catering.
Abruzzo's blood-alcohol content was reported to be .17 grams or more per 100 milliliters of blood. He was arrested 20 days after the crash and lodged at the Delta County Jail, where he has remained on a $175,000 cash or surety bond.
Abruzzo has previously been convicted of three felonies. On Aug. 2, 2012, he was convicted of transporting a controlled substance in Mono County, California. On Jan. 13, 2017, Abruzzo was convicted of unlawful possession of Schedule 1, 2 or 3 controlled substances or controlled substance over weight specified in Sweetwater County, Wyoming.
Three years later, on Jan. 31, 2020, Abruzzo was convicted of attempted operating while intoxicated - third or subsequent offense in Delta County. He was sentenced to seven months in jail and given credit for two days served. Abruzzo was placed on probation for 12 months. His driver's license was revoked, and he was ordered to pay $1,268 in fines and costs.
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Sophie Vogelmann can be reached at 906-786-2021 or svogelmann@dailypress.net.