MASON - The man police believe is responsible for an accident that left a state trooper in critical condition was formally charged today. Mark J. Kollar, a 50-year old from Novi, was charged with one count of failing to use due care when passing a stationary emergency vehicle causing injury to emergency personnel; that is a felony, which holds a penalty of two years imprisonment and/or a $1,000 fine. Kollar was also charged with one misdemeanor count of moving violation causing serious impairment of a body function.
The accident took place September 4, 2011, along I-96 in eastern Ingham County. Trooper Drew Spencer was walking back to his patrol car after a traffic stop when investigator's say Kollar's car went out of control, crashing into Spencer's patrol car, which in-turn struck Spencer.
Trooper Spencer had to be airlifted to the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor and remained in critical condition for several days. After a lengthy recovery and intensive physical therapy, Trooper Spencer returned to full duty status on December 15th.