OAKLAND COUNTY, Mich. — A 51-year-old Sterling Heights man will spend at least the next four years in prison following a high-speed, alcohol-fueled crash that claimed the life of a young driver last autumn.
Kevin Koldys was sentenced on Tuesday, April 7, to a term of four to 15 years in prison. The sentencing comes roughly a month after court records show Koldys entered a plea of no contest to charges stemming from the September 2025 incident.
Details of the Fatal Collision
The crash occurred on Sept. 5, 2025, in Commerce Township. According to investigators, Koldys was driving his 2021 Lexus at an excessive speed on Pontiac Trail near Martin Parkway.
As he approached a roundabout, Koldys lost control of the vehicle, veered off the roadway, and jumped a curb. His Lexus then slammed into a 2017 Chevrolet Trax driven by Matthew John Szakal, 30.
The force of the impact was so severe that it:
- Pushed Szakal’s vehicle into a third car.
- Caused minor injuries to a 64-year-old Wixom woman driving the third vehicle.
- Left Koldys himself with serious injuries.
Despite wearing a seatbelt, Matthew John Szakal was pronounced dead at the scene.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
Following an investigation, police confirmed that both excessive speed and alcohol were primary factors in the tragedy.
Koldys appeared in court on March 3, where he opted to plead no contest rather than proceed to trial. While a no contest plea is not a formal admission of guilt, it is treated as such for sentencing purposes in Michigan.
The judge’s decision to impose a 4-to-15-year sentence marks the conclusion of a case that has weighed heavily on the Commerce Township and Sterling Heights communities over the last several months.
Local Impact: This incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing efforts by Oakland County law enforcement to curb drunk driving and speeding in high-traffic roundabouts.
