Brianna Jacobson

MARQUETTE — A Marquette woman will serve up to 15 years in prison relating to a crash that left one person dead and a child critically injured on Oct. 23, 2020.

Brianna Jacobson began serving the 3-15-year prison sentence on Monday after pleading no contest for operating a vehicle while intoxicated.

“I believe the sentence of a 3-15 years incarceration with Michigan Department of Corrections is a fair and just sentence considering the crime,” said Marquette County Prosecuting Attorney Matt Wiese. “The defendant had no prior criminal record but with operating under the influence (drunk driving) it’s often a results-based crime.”

Wiese said that he asked for the victim’s parents’ input on the sentencing. Due to the nature of the offense and the past record of Jacobson, Wiese said himself and the parents felt this was something they could do.

“Some people don’t get caught, some people drive home and some people get arrested for it,” Wiese said. “But if you crash a car and if you crash a car and seriously harm or kill somebody, it’s almost always you’re going to be in a position where you’re looking at going to prison.”

Jacobson had three other charges including child abuse 2nd degree and two counts of operating while intoxicated causing serious injury. Due to the severity of the first count (operating while intoxicated causing death), the other three charges were dropped.

Officials say Jacobson was driving a vehicle southbound on M-553 just south of the Marquette Mountain Ski & Bike Area when she struck a northbound vehicle. A 25-year-old Marquette man riding in the rear passenger seat of Jacobson’s car was killed. A 28-year-old Marquette man and a 4-year-old male child from Marquette, who were also passengers in Jacobson’s vehicle, sustained serious injuries in the crash.

Dreyma Beronja can be reached at 906-228-2500 ext. 248. Their email address is dberonj@miningjournal.