Crime

Rapid River man pleads no contest to homicide

ESCANABA — A Rapid River man has pleaded no contest to multiple charges, including homicide, in connection with an alleged drunken-driving crash in 2025.

On Oct. 1 in the Delta County 47th Circuit Court, David Brandon Abruzzo pleaded no contest to one felony count of homicide — manslaughter with a motor vehicle; one felony count of operating a vehicle with a high blood alcohol content causing death with a prior conviction; and one felony count of reckless driving causing death.

Abruzzo entered the plea as a fourth habitual offender, meaning all the charges will carry the maximum penalty of life in prison. According to court documents, the alleged offense occurred within seven years of Abruzzo's prior felony conviction for operating while intoxicated (OWI) or operating under the influence of liquor or drugs.

Abruzzo further agreed to serve a minimum sentence of 30 years.

In exchange for his plea, Delta County Prosecuting Attorney Lauren Wickman agreed to dismiss the second-degree murder charge against Abruzzo.

During an August hearing, attorney Trenton Stupak said Abruzzo wished to proceed to a jury trial rather than accept a standing plea offer from Wickman.

With Abruzzo now having entered a plea, the jury trial scheduled for the week of Nov. 16 has been canceled. Abruzzo is instead scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 16.

Abruzzo’s alleged offense dates back to June 1, 2025, when he 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.

Chechak was a well-known member of the community. In 2024, he and his wife, Jamie, purchased Gladstone Deli and Catering.

20 days after the alleged offense, Abruzzo was arrested and lodged at the Delta County Jail, where he has remained on a $175,000 cash or surety bond.

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.

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