Man convicted in death of Van Buren County road worker

PAW PAW, Mich. (WOOD) — A man who hit and killed a Van Buren County road worker last year has been convicted of improper driving within a work zone, but not of drunken driving.

Logan Brown of Hartford was found guilty Monday of a felony moving violation in a work zone causing death and misdemeanor operating without insurance. He was acquitted of a felony count of operating while intoxicated causing death.

The crash happened March 3, 2023, on County Road 681 between 44th and 48th avenue northwest of Lawrence. Michigan State Police, which investigated the crash, said a driver ignored signs to stop for a construction zone, rear-ended another car and hit Van Buren County road worker Rene Rangel, who was manning a traffic control sign. Rangel, 58, of Dowagiac, was killed.

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Brown, of Hartford, was charged in May of last year. His trial began Jan. 30 and ran through the week. Deliberations lasted about 90 minutes Monday.

Brown faces up to 15 years in prison when he is sentenced April 15.

“(Rangel’s) tragic death has devastated Rene’s family, friends, and the Road Commission family,” the Van Buren County Road Commission said in a Monday statement. “Our Road Commission family is thankful to the Michigan State Police, Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department, Van Buren County Prosecutor’s Office, the numerous Emergency Services Departments who initially responded, the jurors, and all involved in the investigation and trial for ensuring that the person responsible for Rene’s death was brought to justice.”

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The road commission reminded drivers to go slowly and use extra caution around work crews. In Michigan, drivers are also required to slow down and move over for emergency responders like police, firefighters and tow truck drivers.

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