The man accused of killing a Genesee County Road Commission worker nearly a year ago has pleaded guilty to manslaughter.
On April 30, John Quillen, 64, of Goodrich, pleaded guilty to manslaughter with a motor vehicle and driving while his license was suspended second offense, according to a statement from Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton.
Because Quillen’s plea was entered as a second time habitual offender, he faces a maximum sentence of 22-and-a- half years in prison. Additionally, a suspended license violation brings with it the possibility of one year’s imprisonment, said prosecutors.
The charges came in response to the death of Dennis Bundy, 48, of Flushing. Bundy was doing survey work for the GCRC near the intersection of M-15 and Maple Road in the township on the morning of June 22, 2006 and was apparently crossing the road when he was struck by a southbound 2006 Chevy TrailBlazer driven by Quillen.
‘The real tragedy in all of this is that Mr. Quillen never should have been driving,? said Leyton. ‘The minute he got behind the wheel, he was breaking the law. Due to his disrespect for the law and his decision to drive with severe vision problems and a revoked license, he will now be going to prison and will bear a tragic memory that will haunt him the rest of his life.?
According to the statement, Quillen’s license had been revoked in 1997 due to a childhood injury that resulted in poor vision.
Sentencing for Quillen is scheduled for May 29 in circuit court.