Does Marijuana Impair Driving? Court Rules Medical Marijuana Law Cannot Be Applied Retroactively To 2008 Fatal Crash Case

[Michael Komorn]

Does marijuana impair driving? Court rules medical marijuana law cannot be applied retroactively to 2008 fatal crash case

Published: Wednesday, August 11, 2010, 5:10 PM Updated: Wednesday, August 11, 2010, 9:54 PM

Nate Reens | The Grand Rapids Press

 

 

BARRY COUNTY -- The state's medical marijuana law, which calls into doubt the drug's status as having no medical benefits, cannot be applied retroactively to dismiss a criminal charge against Justin Malik, who struck and killed off-duty sheriff's deputy Christopher Yonkers in 2008.

A state appeals court ruled this week that an offense alleging Malik, 26, was driving under the influence of marijuana and alcohol must be reinstated for him to stand trial.

 

 

 

Barry County Circuit Judge James Fisher had dismissed the allegation, which carries a potential for 15 years in prison and a statutory minimum of 29 months.

"Of course, legally, I'm satisfied with the court's opinion," Prosecutor Tom Evans said Wednesday. "The jury will have to make the distinction of the role the marijuana played in the crash, but I think it's an important matter to look at."

Malik admitted smoking marijuana in the hours before the 9:50 p.m. Oct. 17 collision between his vehicle and Yonkers' motorcycle on M-43. The suspect also acknowledged drinking three beers, although a blood-alcohol test showed a 0.01 result, well below the state's 0.08 standard for intoxication.

A blood test showed Malik had active THC -- the narcotic in marijuana -- in his system as well as the derivative substance.

Authorities smelled alcohol on Malik but did not otherwise notice signs of intoxication, according to reports. Doctors also said during a probable cause hearing that they could not reach a conclusion if THC caused an impairment.

Malik's attorney, Jeffrey Kortes, said they'll review the decision and determine whether to appeal to the state Supreme Court. They had argued the voter-approved marijuana initiative, passed after the date of the crash, invalidated the drug's classification.

"I think they made an incorrect ruling, and I don't see that this puts us any closer to trying the case because there are bridges still to cross," Kortes said. "It's disappointing."

The three-judge appellate panel ruled that prosecutors can use evidence of the active THC but are barred from presenting information about the residual presence that could be inferred to have affected Malik at the time of the crash.

Yonkers' death spurred controversy after authorities initially said he had been off-duty before changing that claim to say he could have been working undercover since he was part of a drug investigation unit. It was later determined that he was on a personal ride.

A crash reconstruction showed Malik's turn near Usborne Road was "normal," and that Yonkers' motorcycle came upon the vehicle very quickly.

In addition to the intoxication allegation, Malik faces charges of driving with a suspended license causing death and negligent homicide.

 

Michael A. Komorn

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[smoker]

isn't the dwls+ death a fifteen year bit on it's own?-

 

reclassification is essentially the same as discovery. we discovered the world isn't flat. also that marijuana isn't devil weed. are there still flat earthers'.

 

maybe we should go looking for the guy we thought sailed off the edge, in light of the discovery that the world isn't flat?

 

the determining factor for me in this case would be the actions of the other driver. if he was going 15MPH probably the cage messed up. if the bike was going 115, i come to a different conclusion.