Published: January 06, 2009 07:00 pm      

Woman in crash dies at hospital

TRAVERSE CITY -- A woman involved in a Garfield Township traffic crash died, and the man behind the wheel faces at least one charge.

Kira Patterson Kirchler died Monday at Munson Medical Center, according to a death notice provided to The Record-Eagle. Kirchler, 24, of Traverse City, was a passenger in a vehicle driven by Richard Connell-Sanford on Jan. 2. Police said the vehicle crossed the center line on Garfield Road and slammed into a semi truck at about 11:30 a.m.

Connell-Sanford, 24, of Jackson, remained in fair condition at Munson Tuesday afternoon. Secretary of State records show his license has been suspended since December 2005 after he failed to pay a driver responsibility fee tied to a 2004 ticket for operating without insurance.

Grand Traverse Prosecutor Alan Schneider said he received a request from the sheriff's department to charge Connell-Sanford with driving with a suspended license. Undersheriff Nate Alger said the department is still reviewing reports and could soon request additional charges.