Breaking News
Local News

Jury trial set for Rapid River man accused of drunken-driving death

By Sophie Vogelmann 3 min read

ESCANABA -- A jury trial has been scheduled for a Rapid River man who is charged with second-degree murder and other felonies in connection with an alleged drunken-driving crash in 2025.

David Brandon Abruzzo, 46, faces one felony count of second-degree murder; one felony count of operating with a high blood alcohol content causing death with a prior conviction; and one felony count of reckless driving causing death. He is charged as a habitual offender with a fourth offense notice.

Abruzzo appeared Monday in the Delta County 47th Circuit Court Monday for a final pretrial conference.

During the hearing, his attorney, Trenton Stupak, said Abruzzo wished to proceed with a jury trial rather than accept a standing plea offer from Delta County Prosecuting Attorney Lauren Wickman.

Under the plea offer, Abruzzo would have pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in exchange for the dismissal of the other two charges. The sentencing agreement called for 30 years in prison.

According to the felony information, on or about June 1, 2025, Abruzzo allegedly operated a vehicle on 513 T Road, a highway in Rapid River, while having an alcohol content of .17 grams or more per 100 milliliters of blood, and by operating the vehicle caused the death of Mark Joseph Chechak.

The alleged offense occurred within seven years of a conviction of operating while intoxicated (OWI) or operating under the influence of liquor/drugs, a felony, according to court documents.

Abruzzo was arrested and lodged at the Delta County Jail on June 20, 2025. He has remained in custody on a $175,000 cash or surety bond.

Abruzzo’s jury trial in the Delta County 47th Circuit Court is set to take place the week of Nov. 16.

If convicted of second-degree murder, Abruzzo faces incarceration of up to life in prison. As a habitual offender with a fourth offense notice, he also faces life in prison if the primary offense has a penalty of five years or more.

Operating with a high blood alcohol content causing death with a prior conviction carries a sentence of 20 years in prison and/or a fine of $2,500 to $10,000, rehabilitative program(s); government reimbursement for emergency response; expenses for prosecuting defendant; and vehicle forfeiture.

The charge of reckless driving causing death is punishable by 15 years in prison and/or a fine of $2,500 to $10,000; expenses for prosecuting defendant; government reimbursement for emergency response; and vehicle immobilization unless vehicle is forfeited.

Abruzzo has previously been convicted of three felonies. On Aug. 2, 2012, he was convicted of transporting a controlled substance in Mono County, California.

On Jan. 13, 2017, Abruzzo was convicted of unlawful possession of Schedule 1, 2 or 3 controlled substances or controlled substance over weight specified in Sweetwater County, Wyoming.

Three years later on Jan. 31, 2020, Abruzzo was convicted of attempted operating while intoxicated - third or subsequent offense in Delta County, where his most recent alleged offense occurred. For this crime, he was sentenced to seven months jail and given credit for two days served. Abruzzo was placed on probation for 12 months. His driver’s license was revoked, and he was ordered to pay $1,268 in fines and costs.

------

Sophie Vogelmann can be reached at 906-786-2021 or svogelmann@dailypress.net.

Starting at /week.