New Charges for Battle Creek Man Accused of Hitting Bicyclists
The 50-year-old Battle Creek man charged in the death of five people and injuring four others in Kalamazoo earlier this month received more charges Wednesday in a probable cause hearing.
Charles Pickett, Jr. received five additional charges of operating while intoxicated causing death and four counts of operating while intoxicated causing injury following the June 7th incident. Pickett was arrested shortly after he allegedly struck nine bicyclists with a truck on North Westnedge.
Investigators say that Pickett may have had a controlled substance in his system during the incident. The new charges eliminate nine previous reckless driving charges.
A defense motion that was granted will have Pickett undergo a competency exam before trial. The preliminary hearing has been set for June 29th.
Pickett faces life in prison if convicted.