A driver accused of causing an April crash that killed 8-month-old Lucia Seifried has been charged, according to the Allegan County Sheriff’s Office.
Terry Lee Boss, 56, was arraigned Thursday on charges of second-degree murder, operating while intoxicated causing death and reckless driving causing death.
Boss was reportedly driving west on Baseline Road near Hillsdale Drive at a high rate of speed on April 26 when he sideswiped an eastbound car and lost control of his truck, according to the sheriff’s office.
He drove across the centerline, left the road and hit a family standing near Baseline Lake: Matthew, Rebecca and 8-month-old Lucia Seifried.
Matthew Seifried was hospitalized with injuries, while Lucia later died at the hospital.
“One minute our baby girl was playing in the grass, the next minute she was holding Jesus’s hand,” the Seifrieds wrote in a statement on April 30. “Lucia was so full of joy, love and peace. Our hope and prayer is that through her death and story, so many lives will be saved and turn to Christ. We are incredibly upset but we are so grateful to the Lord for blessing us with Lucia’s beautiful soul for almost 9 months.”
Deputies previously said alcohol and excessive speed may have been factors in the crash.
A Ring doorbell video captured a vehicle speeding moments before the crash, and witnesses told investigators the driver smelled of alcohol.
Boss posted a $500,000 cash/surety bond four days after the crash on April 30, according to court records.
At Thursday’s arraignment, Allegan Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Jessica Winsemius asked the judge to consider a higher bond, calling Boss a danger to the community. She stated that Boss’ blood alcohol content was more than double the legal limit at the time of the crash.
Arden Mitchell, Boss’s attorney, argued that Boss is not a danger to society, citing a lack of serious criminal history.
Judge William Baillargeon ordered Boss to wear a SCRAM device, a transdermal ankle monitor that detects alcohol use.
Boss is also required to submit to random drug and alcohol testing at least once every three weeks.
The 56-year-old is scheduled to return to court for a probable cause hearing on May 29, followed by a preliminary examination on June 3, court documents detailed.
