Liz Shepard

Times Herald

An 18-year-old Fort Gratiot man stood mute while being arraigned Thursday afternoon on a 15-year felony in a crash that killed a popular area tow truck operator.

Trent Fletcher Sheldon was arraigned on a charge of operating while intoxicated causing death.

A $250,000 personal recognizance bond was set, with the conditions Sheldon surrender his driver license, submit to drug testing after the arraignment and randomly twice a week, and not contact the family of Jason Schultz.

Schultz, 28, was killed while pulling a vehicle out of a ditch in Clyde Township Jan. 15.

St. Clair County Prosecutor Mike Wendling said a toxicology report showed Sheldon had marijuana in his system when he struck and killed Schultz. That report was provided to the prosecutor's office Wednesday.

A probable cause hearing is scheduled for Sheldon in front of District Judge Cynthia Platzer at 9 a.m. March 1. A preliminary examination is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. March 8 in front of Platzer.

When you see emergency lights, think of Jason Schultz

Police said Sheldon drove on the shoulder of North Road, hitting Schultz — the owner of Preferred Towing — the tow cable and stuck vehicle. Cody Hilliker, 21, of Burtchville Township, was in the stuck vehicle. He was injured and taken to McLaren Port Huron for treatment.

Dan Damman, Sheldon's lawyer, said the teen will plead guilty to the charge, but at what court hearing is not yet decided.

"He made really bad choices and the choices that he made were very, very costly," Damman said. "It cost (Jason) Schultz his life, it cost Trent a forever-changed life ... This was really just the perfect storm of bad choices."

Hundreds of tow trucks from throughout the state, and as far as Indiana and Canada, escorted Schultz's funeral procession Jan. 20.

“I am proud of the efforts of my investigative team in finding the facts of this tragic crash,” Sheriff Tim Donnellon said in a statement. “We understand that some were upset with the length of time it took, but it is vital for us to conduct a thorough investigation and gather all evidence necessary before requesting charges in this case and all cases in general.”

Tow truck drivers, first responders honor Jason Schultz

Schultz is survived by his widow, Amanda, and three children all younger than 10.

Damman said the Sheldon family is heartbroken for the Schultz family.

Sheldon's sister, Abigail Sheldon, pleaded guilty to negligent homicide in the Feb. 8, 2010, car crash that killed Tommy Thomas.

Abigail Sheldon was 17 at the time. She was sentenced to three years probation with her driving privileges suspended, to serve 100 hours of community service and was ordered to undergo counseling.

"It's like deja vu all over again. This is probably the Sheldon parents' worst nightmare," Damman said. "...To go through it twice, watch your child go through it twice and watch the families of the victims go through this twice. I think it's almost more than they can bear. I think there's disbelief it is happening again."

Abigail Sheldon was sentenced under the Holmes Youthful Trainee Act so the felony was erased from her record upon completion of probation. People younger than 21 who have not been convicted of a prior felony can be sentenced under the act.

Thomas, 52, of Kimball Township was driving a SEMCO van through the intersection of Range and Griswold roads in Kimball Township when Abigail Sheldon ran a stop sign.

Damman said he does not anticipating requesting Trent Sheldon be sentenced under the Holmes Youthful Trainee Act.

Jodi Sheldon, Abigail Sheldon's mother, said during her daughter's 2010 sentencing it was an emotional day.

"It isn't really the end for us, it's kind of like the beginning. We have to move on and learn to live with this," she said. "... (It's) the beginning of everybody starting to heal."

Contact Liz Shepard at (810) 989-6273 or lshepard@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @lvshepard.

Schultz family benefits

A skating benefit is scheduled for 1:30-3 p.m. Sunday at Glacier Pointe, 4159 Dove Road, Port Huron Township. Donations will be accepted for the Schultz family. Find out more at on.fb.me/1S7dGEN.

A vendor show will be held at the Birchwood Mall in Fort Gratiot to benefit the Schultz family. The show will be held at Garfield's Restaurant from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Find out more at on.fb.me/1o2m3Xe.