BRIDGEPORT -- Update 4/7/2011 3:45 pm
The man, who allegedly led Saginaw County Sheriff's authorities on a high speed chase, has been charged. Trooper Jeffrey Werda was responding to the chase when his car rolled over, and he crashed and died.
Thursday, Carl David Entrekin was arraigned in court. He faces fleeing and eluding, drugs, and suspended license charges.
A preliminary exam has been scheduled for later this month.
Do you think, if found guilty, Entrekin should face harsher punishments because of the death of Trooper Werda? Leave your comments below.
Update 4/7/2011 8:55 am
By: Allison Hillaker
Funeral arrangements have been made for Trooper Jeffrey Werda.
Visitation will take place at Hall-Kokotovich Funeral Home in Gladwin Friday, April 8th, from 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
The funeral service will be at Gladwin High School on Saturday, April 9th, at 11:00 a.m., with visitation for an hour before.
According to his obituary, Trooper Werda leaves behind his wife, Tammy Werda, and two sons: Jacob and Zach, as well as his parents and other relatives.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made on the funeral home’s website.
Update 4/6/2011 1:00pm
By: Dan Armstrong
Law enforcement says the driver being chased by police knows a Michigan State Police trooper was killed in an accident. While waiting to be processed at the Saginaw County jail, the suspect saw the story on the news. Officials say the suspect is a 23 year old man.
Investigators say a sheriff's deputy saw a vehicle with a light out and tried to pull it over in Marion Township. They say the suspect's vehicle took off and the deputy called for backup.
Trooper Jeffrey Werda, 43, responded to the backup call from the Village of Birch Run. He was heading west on Birch Run Road near Moorish Road in Taymouth Township when he lost control of his vehicle and rolled several times, ejecting him from the vehicle.
Michigan State Police are investigating the cause of the crash.
Police across the state are wearing black bands on their badges to mourn the death and honor the life of Trooper Jeffrey Werda. Werda has a wife and children.
Update: 4/6/2011 11:00 a.m.
Governor Rick Snyder has issued the following statement regarding the death of Trooper Jeffrey Werda: "The entire state of Michigan mourns the death of Trooper Jeffrey Werda who lost his life this morning while in the line of duty,” Snyder said. “As a 10-year veteran of the Michigan State Police, Trooper Werda worked tirelessly to protect the people of our state and put his life at risk day after day to protect our communities. I extend my heartfelt condolences to Trooper Werda’s wife, his three children and his entire family.”
The Governor has also ordered U.S. flags on all state buildings to be lowered immediately in Trooper Werda's honor.
Update: 4/6/2011 8:15 a.m.
By: Elizabeth MacFarland
Michigan State Police trooper, Jeffrey Werda, 43, was killed early Wednesday morning in a rollover crash in Taymouth Township.
The crash happened on Birch Run Road, a half-mile west of Morrish Road.
State Police tell NBC25 he was responding to a back-up call when the accident occurred around 1:30 a.m. Trooper Werda lost control of his patrol car and it rolled over several times. A passer-by stopped at the scene and immediately called Saginaw County 911. He was taken to Covenant Hospital in Saginaw and was pronounced dead upon arrival.
Trooper Werda, originally from Gladwin, enlisted eleven years ago in 2000 and spent part of his career patrolling in Detroit. He spent the last four year at the MSP Bridgeport Post.
"This is a tragic day," MSP 1st Lt. Patrick McGreevy said this morning. "Inside the post right now is very somber, there's some tears. Troopers are taking this real hard."
"It's a loss to the post and to the community," McGreevy said. "We never know what we are going to run into out there and we want to come home at the end of our shifts. It's unfortunate for Trooper Werda and this community that didn't happen, this is a tragic loss and we ask the entire community to keep his family in their prayers."
Crash reconstructionists are still trying to determine what caused the crash, McGreevy said.
Original Post: 4/6/2011 4:00 a.m.
By: Nicole Serling
Authorities say a Michigan State Police trooper has been killed in a rollover crash in Taymouth Twp.
Just after 1:30 a.m., a Michigan State Police trooper from the Bridgeport post was killed in a rollover accident. It happened on Birch Run road just west of Moorish Rd. The trooper was ejected from the car and was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
The roads in that area were closed for some time, but they are open now.
State police say the trooper was killed while responding to a backup call from the Saginaw County sheriff's department.
