The driver of a minivan that struck and killed an Ypsilanti Township man in August apologized to the man’s family and promised to never drink again at a tearful court hearing Monday.
Alan Robinson
Courtesy of WCSO
Alan Robinson, who was 38 at the time of the Aug. 25 accident, was sentenced to two years probation and six months in jail for two charges operating while intoxicated with occupants under the age of 16. Robinson was driving the minivan that struck and killed Gregory Andrews, 42, while he was crossing South Harris Road at Share Avenue.
Robinson said he hasn’t had a drink since the night of Andrews’ death, which was ruled an accident by investigators.
“I quit drinking that night and I promise not to drink any more,” he said.
Robinson was charged with two counts of operating while intoxicated with occupants under the age of 16 and one count of operating while intoxicated with the presence of a controlled substance. The latter charge was dropped, records show.
Washtenaw County Assistant Prosecutor Brenda Taylor said Robinson was not charged with operating while intoxicated causing death because Andrews was intoxicated at the time of the crash and a witness told police he stepped off the curb into the path of Robinson’s vehicle.
However, Monda Andrews said in court Monday she still doesn’t believe her brother walked into the street.
Through tears, Monda Andrews told Washtenaw County Trial Court Judge Darlene O’Brien one of the witnesses, who told police they saw Gregory Andrews walk off the curb, has retracted that statement. She said the experience of losing her brother has been overwhelming.
“I witnessed my brother laying there,” she said. “I witnessed Mr. Robinson and, after that, I went into a deep shock.”
Robinson told O’Brien he was under the influence but did not cause the crash.
At the time, investigators said it did not appear the driver of the minivan had a lot of time to brake before hitting Andrews.
O’Brien ruled Robinson must serve his six-month jail sentence on the weekends during the course of his probation. He will not be allowed to use or possess alcohol or other drugs, he must do 300 hours of community service and pay $2,687 in fines and costs.
Robinson will enter the Washtenaw County Jail every Friday at 6 p.m. and leave at 6 p.m. every Sunday until the jail sentence is complete.
Taylor argued Robinson should serve a stiffer penalty, such as serving a straight six-month jail sentence. She said a message needed to be sent.
“If he’s done it before, he can easily do it again,” Taylor said. “If it’s his first, it certainly won’t be his last.”
Kyle Feldscher covers cops and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at kylefeldscher@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.