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HOUGHTON -- The woman allegedly responsible for a car crash in Osceola Township, which lead to the death of two South Carolina residents in August, pleaded no contest to her charges Friday in 97th District Court.
Judge Nicholas Daavettila presided over the case.
45-year old Houghton County resident Sze Wenn Tiang originally pleaded not guilty to three charges, two moving violations causing death and one charge of operating without a valid license. All three charges fall under misdemeanor traffic statues.
Tiang's attorney, Sarah Henderson, appeared in court with her client via Zoom. Henderson said her client wanted to plea as charged. Assistant Prosecutor Ashley Ball said to the court the prosecution would defer to the victims at sentencing.
Ball provided the Michigan State Police report to Judge Daavettila as a basis for the no contest plea. She also said she would need at least 30 days before a sentencing hearing would be held to meet with the victims' families.
In addition to the upcoming sentence affecting Tiang's ability to operate a motor vehicle within the State of Michigan, Judge Daavettila also told the defense Tiang's immigration status could be in jeopardy following conviction.
According to Ball, the prosecutor's office will give Judge Daavettila the defendant's dash cam footage in order for the court to properly sentence Tiang.
"I think that would be wise that this court had all the information to facts and circumstances of the tragedy," Judge Daavettila said. "Then the court would be in a position to render its judgement with a full picture."
According to Judge Daavettila, Tiang's moving violation charges carry up to two years in prison. Her improper license charge could keep her up to 90 days in jail. Tiang is currently out on a $1,000 bond. There is no current date for Tiang's sentencing at press time.