Photo provided by the Gogebic County Prosecutor's Office

BESSEMER — A man from Marenisco has been arraigned on a manslaughter and other charges in connection with a March traffic fatality in Gogebic County. According to a press release from the Michigan State Police, 57-year old Brian Austin Berquist of Marenisco was arraigned Friday in 98th District Court in Bessemer. Berquest is facing two counts of operaating ehile intoxicated causing death and one count of manslaughter. The charges stem from a traffic fatality that occurred on March 26.

Police said the mishap took place shortly aftere 11 p.m. (CDT) on M-64 in Gogebic County’s Marenisco Township.According to the police report Berquist was the driver of a vehicle and is alleged to have lost control of the vehicle causing it to roll over. A front-seat passenger, a 45 year old woman from Bessesmer, was ejected from the vehicle and died of her injuries at the scene. Berquest and a passenger in the rear seat suffered minor injuries

Berquist remains lodged in the Gogebic County Jail in lieu of a $50,000 cash bond. A probable cause conference and preliminary exam are the next scheduled court proceedings.

At this time, the Michigan State Police (MSP) is not releasing the names of the passengers out of respect for their privacy and out of consideration for the families involved. The investigation is still ongoing. Under the law, Berquist is presumed innocent of all charges unless or until convicted by plea or trial.