Remembering a man police say was killed by a wrong-way drunk driver

KENT COUNTY, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) – We're learning more about the man accused of driving drunk and killing a first grade teacher.

30-year-old Aaron Haynes died Monday on his way to school in Greenville when a truck slammed into his vehicle on East Beltline in Plainfield Township.

Police say the man behind the wheel was 38-year-old Leonel Franco-Avina. He's in the hospital with two broken hips and a broken arm. Prosecutors have charged Franco-Avina with second degree murder and drunk driving causing death.

State Police say Franco-Avina was arraigned in Butterworth Hospital on Wednesday afternoon in connection with Haynes' death.

Police say Franco-Avina was driving home from work around 7:00 am Monday when he caused the crash. Investigators say his blood alcohol level was .42, more than five times the legal limit. Police say Franco-Avina had a Washington state and Mexico IDs, but no drivers license of any kind.

Cory Whitaker played hockey with Aaron Haynes at Grand Valley State.

“He was one of those guys who just had an extremely infectious personality,” said Whitaker.

Whitaker says when he first heard how drunk the driver who police say killed his friend was, anger nearly took control.

“It's heart breaking to think that somebody is going to be in that kind of situation and being unable to make a good decision, and now it's affected a lot of other people,” said Whitaker. “I don't want to get wrapped up in the negativity wrapped around something like this, no one wins.”

For an average person, a blood alcohol level of .25 can cause total loss of motor function, .35 leads to unconsciousness and possible death. Police say Franco-Avina's blood alcohol level was .42 when he drove his truck the wrong way down East Beltline without his lights on, hitting Aaron Haynes' truck head on.

Franco-Avina is being charged with second degree murder as well as driving while intoxicated resulting in death. State Police say that they do not yet know when he'll appear in court, saying that depends on how quickly he recovers from his injuries.

The GVSU Hockey Association has set up a fund for Haynes' son, Riley. If you'd like to donate, you can go to any National City Branch and tell them it's for the Aaron Haynes Grand Valley Fund.

A visitation for Haynes has been scheduled for Friday at the Kempf Funeral Home in Marshall. Visitation hours are from 2:00 to 4:00 and again from 6:00 to 8:00. His funeral is Saturday morning at 11:00.