Alma,MI : Prison time for driver in hit-and-run that killed Alma nun on December, Monday 4th 2017

The driver in the hit-and-run death of an Alma nun is headed to prison after a Gratiot County judge sentenced the 33-year-old Alma man Monday.

Justin Fell pleaded no contest in October to failure to stop at the scene of an accident when at fault and/or causing death, a 15-year felony; and a moving violation causing death, a one-year misdemeanor in front of Circuit Court Judge Randy Tahvonen.

No contest is not an admission of guilt but is treated as such for sentencing purposes.

Fell apologized Monday to the family and peers of Sister Joseph Marie Ruessman of the Religious Sisters of Mercy in Alma before Tahvonen handed him a sentence of 18 months to 15 years for the felony and one year for the misdemeanor, each to be served concurrently.


Acknowledging that Fell has no previous criminal record, the judge noted that sometimes someone breaks the law and is judged by that one act; that the loss of life dictates a sentence that reflects the seriousness of the crime, said Gratiot County Prosecutor Keith Kushion.

Ruessman’s biological sister submitted a victim impact letter to the court in advance of the sentencing, Kushion said.

Related: false police report leads to hit-and-run suspect

Police searched for a suspect for eleven days after Ruessman was hit by a car as she rode her bike on Michigan Avenue on August 17.

Ruessman was taken to a hospital and later died of her injuries as the Alma Police Department continued an investigation into finding the driver who fled the scene.

A break in the case came about a week later when detectives discovered a report at the Gratiot County Sheriff’s Office of a car and deer collision from the same day Ruessman was hit.

A review of evidence from that collision showed damage that matched evidence Alma Police had obtained from the hit-and-run fatal; damage to the bug guard matched a piece found at the scene on Michigan Ave.

Fell was arrested, arraigned and then released on a $50,000 personal recognizance bond.

Sister Ruessman was a lawyer and was remembered as a quiet, hardworking and prayerful woman who was dedicated to the church and its community.

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Prison time for driver in hit-and-run that killed Alma nun