MONROE - A Michigan State University strength and conditioning coach has been ordered to stand trial on charges stemming from a crash that killed a mother and daughter last summer in Monroe County.
A judge ruled Friday there is enough evidence to bind Todd Moyer over to circuit court on two counts of reckless driving causing death.
"You killed two people because you were looking at your cell phone," Monroe County District Judge Jarod Calkins told Moyer after concluding a preliminary hearing that began in December.
Moyer, 38, of Holt, had trained the MSU men's basketball team until his suspension shortly after charges were filed in November.
Police said he was driving south on U.S. 23 near Dundee on July 14 when his pickup truck rear-ended a car in a construction zone, killing Gladys Johnson, 35, and her 5-year-old daughter, Za-Kira, both of Redford.
Moyer's truck was moving about 78 mph in an area where traffic was merging from two lanes into a single lane because of road work, authorities said.
Prosecutors introduced evidence that Moyer was texting on his cell phone in the minutes leading up to the crash, which happened about 2:20 p.m.
Data extracted from Moyer's cell phone shows he was sending and receiving messages during the hour leading up to the crash, Monroe County Sheriff's Detective Jeff Hooper testified Friday. Moyer texted a link to an Ohio strip club's website moments before the crash, and the data indicates he was reading texts up until the time of the crash, according to the data.
A few minutes after the crash, Moyer texted that he wouldn't make it to his destination, according to testimony. His next message said, "Omg, I'm f----, Two ppl killed."
Related: Officials: MSU strength coach was speeding, sent 6 texts before crash that killed two
Chief Assistant Monroe County Prosecutor Michael Roehrig argued Friday that Moyer was paying more attention to his cell phone than to driving and apparently missed seeing numerous signs warning of a construction zone. In the minutes leading up to the crash, Moyer was creating contacts, doing internet searches and finding emojis to send in text messages, the prosecutor said.
"He was preoccupied with his cell that phone, and that's why he crashed into Mrs. Johnson's car," Roehrig said.
Mike Nichols, an attorney for Moyer, argued that prosecutors didn't establish that Moyer's actions amounted to "willful and wanton disgregard" for the safety of others. The attorney also noted that police were unable to determine the speed of the other vehicles involved in the crash.
A defense witness testified that, just before the crash, he saw another vehicle pass a line of cars in the right lane before veering in front of Johnson's vehicle, cutting her off. But the witness didn't actually see the crash, and Roehrig noted that no other witnesses supported that account.
Moyer remains free on a personal bond. MSU officials have said he is suspended with pay and is not working with the team.
Moyer initially was charged with one count of reckless driving causing death naming both victims. Roehrig on Friday asked that Moyer be bound over on two counts of reckless driving causing death, a felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison upon conviction.
After Friday's session, Nichols said Moyer, too, is hurting over the tragedy.
"The man is devastated," the attorney said.
Contact Ken Palmer at (517) 377-1032 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @KBPalm_lsj.