A Mother's Loss, A Driver's Sentence

A Warren man was sentenced to three years in prison Tuesday for fatally striking a 14-year-old boy and fleeing the scene, nearly three years after the crash that took the life of Michael Brady.

Justin Spangle, 46, received a sentence of three to 15 years in prison from Macomb County Circuit Judge Jennifer Faunce after pleading no contest to driving with a suspended or revoked license causing death and two other charges. Spangle also received three to 10 years for tampering with evidence and two to five years for failure to stop at a fatal crash. Those sentences will be served simultaneously with the main charge.

Spangle received eight days credit for time served.

The Crash That Killed Michael Brady

The incident occurred at approximately 4:30 a.m. on August 18, 2023, on the entrance ramp to Interstate 696 at Groesbeck Highway in Roseville. Spangle was driving with a suspended license when he struck Michael, who was crossing the road on foot.

Spangle fled the scene. Authorities said he replaced the damaged windshield and cleaned broken glass from the vehicle. Police located Spangle and the car involved in the fatal crash days later.

Michael Brady was autistic and nonverbal. His mother, Maleka Turner, described him as expressive and said he enjoyed listening to music, watching his favorite show Family Guy, and playing basketball.

A Mother's Words in Court

Turner appeared in court with several supporters. Chief Victim Advocate Heather Morman read a letter from Turner to the court. Turner said the loss of her son caused her to struggle and stop working for a period of time.

"I have struggled mentally, physically and emotionally," Turner said. "Grief has made me feel absent from my own life, and the heaviness has weighed on my spirit every day. Through my faith I am trying to keep going, but the loss of Michael has changed my loss forever."

The Defendant's Apology

Spangle, choking back tears, apologized in court. He was accompanied by a handful of supporters.

"I'm truly sorry. There's not a day that goes by that I don't think about Michael," Spangle said moments before he was handcuffed and escorted out of the courtroom.

Judge Faunce told Spangle he erred in fleeing and trying to hide his involvement.

"What made the horrible situation worse was at the time this happened you didn't take responsibility," Faunce said. "It made everything much more difficult for everybody, including yourself."

The Legal Battle

Spangle entered his pleas on the day the case was scheduled to go to a jury trial. The pleas came after Faunce denied a legal motion by his attorney, Michael Dennis, to try to blame Michael for his own death at trial.

Assistant Macomb County Prosecutor Maria Panchenko noted the "friends and family" who showed up for court hearings, including the sentencing.

"Michael was truly loved," Panchenko said.

Spangle pleaded as charged after Faunce agreed to sentence him at the bottom of the range based on the sentencing guidelines formula, which called for three to six years.