KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — A Kalamazoo County Circuit Judge has handed down a prison sentence to a Richland man who operated a boat while drunk over the fourth of July 2020 holiday weekend.
39-year-old Tyler Boyd was sentenced to 15 months to 15 years in prison by Kalamazoo County Circuit Judge Gary Giguere Jr. on Monday, March 14, for hitting and killing 18-year-old William Mitchell on Gull Lake on July 5, 2020 while driving his boat while intoxicated.
Boyd pleaded guilty back on January 10 to marine safety, operating while intoxicated, and causing death.
Investigation revealed that Boyd had a blood alcohol content of 0.222 grams, nearly three times the legal limit of 0.08. However in court, a plea agreement was reached where two counts of marine safety, operating while intoxicated with occupant less than 16 years old were dismissed.
Boyd is now in custody at the Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Office and will be transferred to the Michigan Department of Corrections to serve out the remainder of his sentence.
