Published: May 17, 2008 09:41 am         

Burchett sentenced in fatal car crash

BEULAH -- A man is headed to prison for killing a high school teacher in a vehicle crash.

Benzie Circuit Judge James Batzer sentenced John Lee Burchett, 27, to a minimum of nine years and six months in prison and a maximum of 15 years in prison Friday. Burchett pleaded guilty in March to operating while intoxicated causing death.

Katherine Wolterink, 60, died Sept. 24 when a sport utility vehicle driven by Burchett crossed the center line on Benzie County's Cinder Road and slammed head-on into her vehicle, police said. Burchett's blood alcohol level was .17, more than twice the legal limit, and he was driving without a license.

Wolterink was an English teacher at Benzie Central High School.