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 CASSOPOLIS — An Edwardsburg man who caused a crash that seriously injured two people was sentenced to probation.

      Roger Duane Baker, 53, of Edwardsburg, pleaded guilty to moving violation causing serious impairment of bodily functions and was sentenced to nine months probation and $1,395 in fines and costs.

      The incident occurred July 29, 2024 on U.S. 12 near Brady Road in Ontwa Township. According to statements made in court, Baker was speeding as he passed a pickup truck and forced that vehicle off the road. The driver and his son were both injured and had to receive medical help.

“It’s fortunate that they were wearing seatbelts or they could have been killed and you would have been going to prison,” Judge Herman said. “I don’t know what you were thinking. You were driving a Corvette. I’m not sure if you were hotdogging but my advice would be to get a Yugo, it won’t take you on a fast track to prison.”

The judge noted that the charge had been reduced to a misdemeanor since Baker had no previous record. “If there is a next time, don’t expect the prosecutor to give you the benefit of the doubt,” he said.

In two drunk driving cases, one woman was able to get a felony charge reduced to a misdemeanor after competing a delayed sentence probation while another will get that chance if she’s successful on probation.

Jacqueline Lynn Hayne, 68, of Union, had a third offense drunk driving offense reduced to a second offense drunk driving after completing a delayed sentence probation.

The incident had occurred Jan. 5, 2024 in Vandalia. Her blood alcohol at the time was .256, over three times the legal limit.

“You look 100 times better today than when you first appeared in court,” Judge Herman told Hayne. “I’m impressed that you’ve done 478 hours of community service at the animal shelter.”

Jeannie Louise Henion, 60, of Marcellus, pleaded guilty to third offense drunk driving and was sentenced to three years probation, 30 days in jail with credit for 11 days served, completion of the Adult Treatment Court program, $2,688 in fines and costs and $290 in restitution.

The rest of her jail sentence will be suspended if she is successful on probation and the charge will be reduced to a misdemeanor second offense drunk driving.

The incident occurred Nov. 22, 2024 on M-60 near Niles when officers saw her driving the wrong way on the divided highway. Her blood alcohol level was found to be .117 which is above the legal limit.

Judge Herman noted that Henion already looks better after getting sober. He said he was concerned that this was her fourth arrest for drunk driving just in the last few years.