GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Five hundred days after 63-year-old Dean Elliott was killed in a wrong way crash, the man charged with the fatal accident, Marcel McMillan, was sentenced.
With her daughter and son next to her, Elliott's wife Brenda relived the moments she found out her husband was killed in the crash on US-131 on April 2, 2023.
"Curious, I opened up my news app to see if there was a backup on the highway, only to read the breaking news the expressway was closed due to a crash that killed someone because of a wrong-way driver. I headed toward the crash scene in an effort to reach my husband. During that time, I contacted the Kent County Deputy Sheriff. I tearfully gave the deputy the information from the news report, said Dean's car information, and asked if they would find out if my husband was involved in the crash. I also shared my location, and was advised to find a place to park after I exited the expressway. I sent a text to the deputy after I parked, begging to know if Dean was the one who had died. I waited another torturous 10 minutes until the Michigan State Police car pulled in, when the trooper and I got out of our cars. It was like a very tragic and sad movie, but it was my reality,” said Brenda.
Her children also spoke about how hard life has been without their father.
“My wedding, New Year's Eve, 2023 a seat with a sign, instead of having my father supporting me through the entire wedding, giving a speech at the rehearsal dinner. Spending time with me on the best day, he was replaced by the memory,” said Elliott’s son.
“Since that day, I have had a decreased ability to focus, with an impaired ability to maintain multiple tasks at once, and having even more depleted emotional energy for my husband, family friends, due to using it to serve my community,” said Elliott’s daughter.
The man charged for his death, Marcel McMillan, was emotional while they spoke.
He pleaded no contest to operating while intoxicated causing death. Then he spoke to Elliott's family members.
“I just want to apologize to the family, because it's not purposely done. I know I got to put you guys get through a lot. I didn't mean to do it. I'm sorry,” said McMillan.
Because McMillan is a habitual felony offender, he received a maximum sentence of 22 and half years in prison.
While Elliott’s family knows the sentencing won't bring their loved one back, they say they hope McMillan learns from what he did.
“Marcel, I have forgiven you, however your actions have consequences that require justice and society deserves protection from your continued dangerous and illegal choices. I truly hope during that time, Mr. McMillan will choose to change the direction of his life,” said Brenda Elliott.
As part of the no contest plea deal, prosecutors dropped a reckless driving charge and another habitual offender charge.