KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — The driver accused of hitting a pedestrian in downtown Kalamazoo over the weekend is being formally charged.
31-year-old Jerrame Avery was arraigned Monday for one count of operating while intoxicated causing serious injury.
Avery struck and injured 32-year-old Joseph Periard while he was crossing the intersection of Academy and South Rose streets early Sunday morning.
Periard was first listed in critical condition but officials say he has not been upgraded to fair condition.
If convicted, Avery faces up to 5-years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
The crash occurred at one of city intersections that now has the “Local Law Stop Here for Pedestrians” signs.
Over 100 of those signs are now up following a city ordinance that began last June, which requires motorists to stop for pedestrians at crosswalks, even those without a traffic signal.
