Officials: Driver On Drugs When Michigan Bicyclists Were Killed

KALAMAZOO (WWJ/AP) - A prosecutor says a man accused of plowing his pickup truck into a group of Michigan bicyclists, killing five, was under the influence of drugs.

The disclosure was made Wednesday as new charges were filed against Charles Pickett Jr., who already faces second-degree murder charges in the June 7 crash in Kalamazoo County.

Authorities say the bicyclists were riding in a group on a rural road in Cooper Township when Pickett struck them.

Prosecutor Jeff Getting added many new charges, including driving while intoxicated causing death. He declined to describe the "controlled substances." A not-guilty plea was entered.

Separately, Pickett will undergo a mental health exam to determine if he understands all charges and can assist his lawyer.

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash.

The 50-year-old Pickett has been in custody for two weeks. He's being held without bond.

Police said they had received complaints about a pickup being driven erratically and were searching for it minutes before the crash. Pickett fled but was caught by police shortly afterward.

The bicyclists killed have been identified as as Debra Ann Bradley, 53; Melissa Ann Fevig-Hughes, 42; Suzanne Joan Sippel, 56, all of Augusta; and Fred Anton "Tony" Nelson, 73, and Lorenz John "Larry" Paulik, 74, both of Kalamazoo.

The group was about five miles into a planned 30-mile ride when they were struck.

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