COLDWATER, Mich. – A man who used to live in Coldwater was sentenced Monday for his part in a crash that happened almost three years ago.

Branch County Circuit Court officials say 47-year-old Raymond Root of Springfield, Michigan was sentenced to serve six months in the Branch County Jail and to be placed on 18 months of probation.

In April 2021, Coldwater Police were called to an accident at Marshall Road and Taylor Street. Officers determined that Root was driving south on Marshall Road at a high rate of speed and rear ended a vehicle. The second vehicle then struck a Coldwater Board of Public Utilities pole, causing the power to go out for 50 customers.

The driver of the other vehicle, a 60 year old women, suffered fractures to her back and ribs, which required her to have surgery.

A blood draw was done on Root which determined he had drugs in his system but no alcohol.

Root entered a no contest plea to a charge of operating a vehicle under the influence of marijuana causing serious injury. In exchange for the plea, the Branch County Prosecutor’s Office dismissed three other charges.

Root was given credit for three days already served, and he will have to pay over $500 in fines and court costs.