On a calm afternoon in January 2021, a deadly moment changed everything in Iron County, Michigan. Just after 2 p.m. on January 13, a pickup truck driven by Jerry Dean Mittelstadt barreled into a Road Commission work zone, killing 56-year-old Lawrence Leonarduzzi, a flagger on duty.
The impact crushed Leonarduzzi between a Road Commission vehicle and Mittelstadt’s truck. He died instantly. But the question that soon followed wasn’t just how it happened—but why.
What Really Happened on That Road?
The facts were immediately alarming. Mittelstadt’s cruise control was active at 50 mph. He made no attempt to slow down, swerve, or brake. Investigators found no skid marks, no steering corrections—nothing.
Authorities quickly confirmed Mittelstadt had been driving. But was this driver negligent, or was something else to blame? A medical issue? A mechanical failure? Or a lapse in judgment?
A Past That Raised Eyebrows
At the scene, Mittelstadt speculated he may have fallen asleep at the wheel. Yet he claimed not to have felt tired while driving. Although fatigue accounts for a small percentage of fatal crashes—just 2.2%, according to federal data—prosecutors found his story suspicious.
They had reason to. Mittelstadt had two prior OWI convictions in 2001 and 2006 in Wisconsin. Although toxicology reports for the 2021 crash came back clean, the shadow of his past loomed large.
In April 2021, prosecutors charged him with:
- Moving violation causing death in a work zone
- Reckless driving causing death (as an alternative)
Due to his prior convictions, he faced a habitual offender enhancement—raising the potential sentence to 30 years in prison.
Could the ‘Sudden Emergency Doctrine’ Save Him?
Michigan law includes a unique legal protection: the “sudden emergency doctrine.” If a driver experiences an unforeseen emergency beyond their control—and had no reason to anticipate it—they may avoid criminal liability.
However, this defense does not apply if the driver ignored known risks. Falling asleep doesn’t qualify. A known medical condition with prior symptoms? Also disqualified.
But what if the medical condition was real—and undiagnosed?
A Diagnosis with Deadly Implications
In December 2020, just weeks before the crash, Mittelstadt had visited doctors complaining of breathing issues. Due to pandemic-related delays, he didn’t receive a diagnosis until after the crash.
Post-crash evaluations revealed he had a paralyzed diaphragm, a rare condition that affects oxygen intake and brain function. His defense argued this caused a blackout behind the wheel—one he couldn’t have predicted.
Crucially, Mittelstadt had not been told he was medically unfit to drive prior to the crash. His attorneys argued this fit the sudden emergency standard.
The Trial That Tested the Doctrine
The trial of People v. Jerry Mittelstadt began on September 6, 2022, in Iron County. Prosecutors dropped the reckless driving charge, focusing solely on whether Mittelstadt was guilty of a moving violation causing death in a work zone.
Medical experts for the defense testified about the diaphragm condition and how it could cause oxygen deprivation and blackouts. A prosecution witness admitted the absence of skid marks supported the theory that Mittelstadt was unconscious at impact.
The court had to consider:
- Did Mittelstadt have prior warning?
- Could he have prevented this?
- Was this truly unforeseeable?
A Fast Verdict, a Divided Community
On September 8, the jury deliberated for just 90 minutes before delivering its verdict:
Not guilty.
Though Mittelstadt was acquitted, the tragedy remained undeniable. He expressed sorrow for the Leonarduzzi family, stating,
“At the end of the day, an accident still happened.”
Did the Verdict Deliver Justice—or Just Closure?
The Jerry Mittelstadt fatal crash case raised powerful questions about medical responsibility, legal fairness, and accountability. Should drivers with emerging health issues undergo regular evaluations? Did COVID-era medical delays play a tragic role?
While Mittelstadt’s defense held up in court, Leonarduzzi’s family was left with grief, not answers. For some, the verdict was justice. For others, it was another example of the system falling short when life is lost in a gray zone between negligence and fate.
FAQs
Who was killed in the Jerry Mittelstadt crash?
Lawrence Leonarduzzi, a 56-year-old road flagger, died after being struck by Mittelstadt’s truck in a work zone.
Was Jerry Mittelstadt intoxicated at the time?
No. Toxicology reports confirmed he was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol during the crash.
What defense did Mittelstadt use?
His attorneys cited the sudden emergency doctrine, claiming he blacked out due to a paralyzed diaphragm—a condition he was not aware of at the time.
What charges did he face?
He was charged with a moving violation causing death and reckless driving causing death, though the latter was dropped during trial.
What was the outcome of the trial?
Mittelstadt was acquitted on September 8, 2022, after a short jury deliberation.
Could this have been prevented with earlier diagnosis?
Possibly. COVID-19 delayed his diagnostic process. He had reported breathing trouble, but wasn’t officially diagnosed until after the crash.