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    • Fatal crash in Dundee leads to prison sentence
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    Fatal crash in Dundee leads to prison sentence

    Vaseline Posted on

    Staff reports
    | The Monroe News

    MONROE — An Ohio man has been sentenced to at least 17 years in prison for leading police on a lengthy chase that ended in a fiery crash in downtown Dundee that killed his passenger.

    Kim Lynn Fitch Jr., 32, of Napoleon, Ohio, had fled a traffic stop in Washington Township, Ohio, on January 6, 2023, and was driving through Monroe County toward Dundee when he lost control of the 2007 Ford Fusion he was driving as he approached the intersection of West Monroe Street and Tecumseh Street. The car struck a utility pole near Uncle Lyle’s Inn and burst into flames, resulting in the death of the passenger, Lesley Rosales, 46, of Leipsic, Ohio.

    Monroe County sheriff’s deputies entered the vehicle to free Fitch and Rosales, who was in the front passenger seat.

    “Fitch led police on a dangerous chase at speeds in excess of 90 miles per hour. During the chase, the vehicle struck oncoming traffic three times due to the vehicle’s tires being flattened by falling stop poles,” Monroe County District Attorney Jeffrey Yorkey said in a news release.

    Officers from the Michigan State Police, the city of Monroe, Toledo, Dundee and the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case, the release said.

    Fitch was convicted by a Monroe County Circuit Court jury on May 24 of involuntary manslaughter, first-degree fleeing police, and reckless driving causing death. He represented himself at trial, with Southgate attorney Ben Gonek serving as stand-by counsel.

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    On Thursday, Circuit Judge William Paul Nichols sentenced Fitch as a fourth-felony repeat offender to 17 to 30 years for the first-degree hit-and-run and 13 to 30 years concurrent for involuntary manslaughter and reckless driving causing death. Nichols followed the recommendation of the probation department in determining his sentence, the news release said.

    The victim’s mother and two sons addressed the court during the sentencing, the news release said. Rosales’ mother asked for the longest possible sentence, expressing her frustration and devastation over Fitch’s actions. Rosales’ sons asked for the shortest possible sentence, saying Fitch did not mean to kill her.

    Chief Assistant District Attorney Jahn Landis and Senior Trial Attorney Kenneth Laurain prosecuted the case. Yorkey said he commended his staff’s efforts on the case and also the “impressive efforts of law enforcement officers who put their lives on the line to protect the community.”

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