A Houghton woman accused of killing two motorcyclists in an August highway crash has pleaded no contest to all three charges.
Sze Wenn Tiang, 45, entered a plea of no contest last Friday in 97th District Court. She faces two counts of moving violation causing death and one count of operating a vehicle without a valid license.
Tiang was involved in a motorcycle – vehicle crash on August 5th, that caused the death of two South Carolina residents. Tiang attempted to avoid a vehicle stopped on the highway that was attempting to turn left onto Golf Course Road. To avoid a crash with the stopped vehicle, Tiang traveled into the northbound lane of US-41, where she struck the motorcyclists traveling north.
Both motorcyclists Kimberly Wooldridge, 36, and Raymond Alton Miller, 65, were pronounced dead at the scene.
Prosecutor Dan Helmer said Tiang does not qualify for consecutive sentencing on the three charges. Michigan uses concurrent sentencing for most misdemeanor crimes. “Only certain crimes, mostly felonies, are eligible for consecutive sentencing,” Helmer said.
Each moving violation causing death charge carries up to one year in jail. The license charge carries up to 90 days in jail.
At Friday’s hearing, Judge Nicholas Daavettila told the defense that Tiang’s immigration status could be in jeopardy following a conviction, the Daily Mining Gazette reported.
Helmer said Tiang’s no contest plea cannot be used in a civil suit.
Tiang was released on a $1,000 bond in August. Her sentencing is scheduled for November 30 in 97th District Court.
