ESCANABA - A Delta County man - suspected of driving a snowmobile which struck and seriously injured a fisherman in Garden this past winter - was officially charged Wednesday, four months after the incident.
While operating a snowmobile on Jan. 28, Douglas Duane Barbeau, 27, of Garden, allegedly purposely struck a 21-year-old Marquette man who was ice fishing on Garden Bay that afternoon. The alleged assault occurred after the two men had gotten into an argument when the snowmobiler drove dangerously close to the victim, according to the Delta County Sheriff Department.
The victim suffered severe injuries when struck by the snowmobile. He was transported to Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital and then transferred to Marquette General Hospital. He has since been released from hospital care.
After the incident, a report was submitted by the sheriff's department to the county prosecutor. Charges were authorized against Barbeau last week. He was arraigned on two felonies in Delta County District Court on Wednesday.
Barbeau was officially charged with assault with a dangerous weapon (felonious assault), a four-year felony. He is also charged with the five-year felony of failure to stop at the scene of an accident causing serious impairment or death.
Barbeau posted a $5,000 bond. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 7 in district court.
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Jenny Lancour, (906) 786-2021, ext. 143, jlancour@dailypress.net