Months after fatal accident, two people face charges in death of MSP soldier | crime

SAGINAW, Mich. (WJRT) – More than three months after a Michigan State Police trooper was killed in the line of duty, two people are facing criminal charges in connection with his death.

In late January, 39-year-old Joel Popp died when he was struck by a vehicle on I-75.

Charges have been filed against the driver of the vehicle that hit Popp, and a second person was also charged Wednesday.

Joel Popp and other emergency responders arrived on this stretch of northbound I-75 near Birch Run after a report of a car crashing into a median or guardrail.

The driver of that car is also facing charges, which the judge said is an interesting legal theory.

Court records show that 81-year-old Duncan Erving of Atlanta, Michigan, faces one count of failure to exercise caution while overtaking a stationary emergency vehicle, resulting in death.

It was Erving’s vehicle that investigators say struck two police cars and Michigan State Police trooper Joel Popp, who exited his vehicle and was working another traffic accident. Popp was taken to a hospital but died from his injuries.

Popp and other emergency responders were on I-75 on Jan. 24 when they looked for another vehicle that was believed to have crashed into a guardrail along the highway.

Popp and other officers found the vehicle, which investigators said was driven by 32-year-old Brooke Allen of Haslett.

All are accused of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, resulting in death.

Saginaw County Assistant Prosecutor Aaron Majorona says other drivers observed Allen driving erratically before her car came to a stop.

“She was disoriented when they came into contact with her. “Ultimately it was determined that she was under the influence of methamphetamine,” Majorana said during the arraignment. “It is very likely that this incident would not have happened without them.”

Majorana says Popp was placing flares on the roadway when Erving’s vehicle came through and hit the officer.

Saginaw County District Court Judge Terry Clark called the charges against Allen an interesting legal theory.

Erving’s attorney says his client is a Vietnam veteran, and Judge Clark set his bond at $75,000 cash surety, or 10%.

Allen’s bond was set at $50,000, cash surety or 10%. Both Allen and Erving face up to 15 years in prison if convicted.

Joel Popp leaves behind his wife and young daughter.

Jail records show Brooke Allen posted bail and was released, while Duncan Erving remains in custody.