Driver who killed motorcyclist in 2023 crash sentenced to 2 1/2 to 15 years in prison

Driver who killed motorcyclist in 2023 crash sentenced to 2 1/2 to 15 years in prison

(OCSO, September 28, 2024)

Pontiac, MI – A Waterford Township woman who pleaded guilty to felony DUI in the 2023 traffic death of a White Lake Township motorcyclist was sentenced this week to 2½ to 15 years in prison.

Jessica Lenore Kellar, 31, was charged in the Sept. 15, 2023, crash that killed 70-year-old Kirt Keenan Stalker.

Kellar was charged with operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, causing death, and operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated with an occupant under 16 years of age.

Accident investigators determined that Kellar's blood alcohol level was 0.10 percent at the time of the incident. Under state law, a driver is considered intoxicated with an alcohol content of 0.08 percent or more.

Kellar pleaded guilty Aug. 6 in Oakland County Circuit Court. Judge Mary Ellen Brennan sentenced her to prison on Wednesday. “

While I am grateful that this individual is being held accountable for his actions, it continues to frustrate me that people willfully and intentionally get behind the wheel of a car after drinking alcohol and endanger others,” said Michael Bouchard, Sheriff of Oakland County. “Lives are being destroyed and lost as a result of this reckless behavior and we hope this sends a message to others to simply choose an alternative journey if they have been drinking.”

The accident occurred at the intersection of East Huron Street and Woodward Avenue northbound in Pontiac. Kellar was operating a 2016 GMC Canyon eastbound on Huron Street near Woodward Avenue next to a 2018 Triumph Bonneville motorcycle that was being operated by Stalker. Kellar made a wrong turn in front of the motorcycle, causing the accident that killed the motorcyclist.

The stalker, who was wearing a helmet, was pronounced dead at the scene. Kellar and her 15-year-old passenger were not injured. The incident was investigated by the Sheriff's Office Crash Reconstruction Unit.

NOTE: Police and fire reports come directly from the agency in question and are written by the person or agency listed under the title. We generally run these “as is” or with minimal editing for punctuation, spelling, etc. Suspects should not be viewed as guilty. Anyone needing further information about a case is asked to contact the state reporting agency or court system for the most current information.

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