Suspect charged in fatal wrong way crash

November 25, 2009 5:04 PM

KENT COUNTY, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) – Police in Kent County have filed charges against the driver who allegedly caused a head-on collision that killed first grade teacher Aaron Haynes.

The suspect has been identified as 31-year-old Leonel Franco-Avina, he's been charged with second degree murder and operating while intoxicated causing death.

Franco-Avina has identification from Washington state, and Mexico, but is not known to have a valid drivers license. He's currently at Butterworth Hospital with two broken hips and a broken arm.

Prosecutors say that on Monday morning Franco-Avina's blood alcohol content was .42, more than five times the legal limit, when they say he crashed head-on with Aaron Haynes on East Beltline Road in Plainfield Township.

Franco-Avina is being held on $300,000 bond. His court date has not been set, since officials do not know when he'll be out of the hospital.

Funeral arraignments have been set for Haynes in Calhoun County. Visitation will be held Friday from 2:00 through 4:00 and again from 6:00 to 8:00 at the Kempf Funeral Home in Marshall.

Haynes' funeral is scheduled for Saturday morning at 11:00 at the same funeral home.