Dudek pleads no contest to charge in death of pedestrian in VBT

Keith Dudek of Sumpter Township pled no contest to committing the civil infraction of operating a vehicle causing the death of Vonda Sue Wieczorek on Oct. 13, 2015 on the North I-94 Service Drive in Van Buren Township.
Judge Tina Brooks Green accepted the plea on July 27 and set sentencing for Aug. 24 at 34th District Court when she expects the family to be present.
Dudek told Judge Green that while driving his box truck that day he reached down to pick something up in his truck and hit the pedestrian who was on the shoulder of the road.
His attorney Murray Duncan said Dudek is pleading no contest because of a pending civil suit. There is a restitution issue, Duncan said.
Judge Green was concerned about the letter the prosecutor would be sending to the family of the deceased concerning restitution.
“Restitution? When there’s a civil suit?” Judge Green asked. “Go get Dwyer!” She referred to Assistant Wayne County Prosecutor Doug Dwyer who was in an adjoining office.
“I’m uncomfortable sending a letter to the family asking how much a life is worth,” Judge Green said, noting again that there is a civil case.
Prosecutor Dwyer said under the law the family is entitled to restitution.
“They’re entitled to their statement at sentencing,” she stated, adding she may change the wording of the letter that will be sent out to them.
Dwyer said the state overrides any civil action.
Van Buren Township police investigated the death of Mrs. Wieczorek and subpoenaed records from Dudek’s cell phone. They found he was not on his cell phone when the accident occurred.
Police reported the accident occurred at about 12:48 p.m. when the 57-year-old mother was walking with her 25-year-old son J.J. along the I-94 North Service Drive between Morton Taylor and Belleville roads. The son was not injured.
The 48-year-old driver immediately stopped after the accident and called for an ambulance. The driver, Keith Dudek, was upset but cooperating with police, police said.
VBT Fire Chief Dan Besson said the mother and son live in the area and motorists have seen them walking together for years. The only witness to the accident besides the driver was the son, who is mentally challenged.
The community reached out via the internet to raise funds to help the family.