Boyne, MI, Firefighter Takes Plea Deal in Deadly Responding Crash

Boyne firefighter Joshua Elzinga pleaded no contest in a deadly crash and may face a year in jail.

BOYNE CITY, MI - A volunteer firefighter who was responding to a call when he crashed into another vehicle has taken a plea deal, authorities announced.

Joshua Elzinga, a volunteer firefighter with the Boyne Valley Fire & Rescue, pleaded no contest to a moving violation causing death, the Charlevoix County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office announced. He could face up to a year in jail, WPBN/WGTU reports.

An additional charge against Elzinga, felony reckless driving causing death, was dropped, the report said.

Elzinga was in his personal vehicle responding to a call when the crash happened on Dec. 15, the fire chief said. He was suspended from the department.

Court documents allege that Elzings was driving around 73 mph when his vehicle struck a car leaving the Tractor Supply parking lot on M-75, the report said. The driver of the other vehicle died.

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