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Woman gets 27 years in crash that killed Michigan trooper

Trooper Caleb Starr was driving in Ionia County when a vehicle crossed lanes and smashed into him. The driver's BAC was allegedly three times over the limit.

IONIA, Mich. — A woman has been sentenced to 27 years in prison for a drunken driving crash that killed a Michigan state trooper in 2020.

Thomasina Jones was sentenced Tuesday after pleading guilty in Ionia County Circuit Court in September. 

Jones, who was 28 years old at the time of the incident, pled guilty to:

  • Homicide – Murder – Second Degree
  • Operating With a High BAC Causing Death With a Prior Conviction
  • Operating While License Suspended, Revoked, Denied - Causing Death
  • Operating While Intoxicated

RELATED: Michigan State Police remember Trooper Caleb Starr one year after death

Trooper Caleb Starr was driving in Boston Township in Ionia County on July 10, 2020, when a vehicle crossed the center line from the opposite direction and smashed into his patrol car.

On July 31, MSP announced that Starr succumbed to his injuries and died in the hospital. He was 33 years old.

Another trooper testified in an earlier hearing that Jones’ blood-alcohol level was 0.23, about three times over Michigan’s legal limit.

Credit: Jim Couchenour

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