A Kalamazoo judge scolded the defendant, saying Chief Switalski "never had a chance."

Brandon Clevenger will spend up to 15 years in prison for killing Comstock fire chief Ed Switalski at the scene of an accident on I-94 in June of 2016. MLive was in the courtroom along with widow Holly Switalski and a dozen firefighters as the sentence was handed down on February 5, and reports Clevenger sorrowfully admitted his wrongdoing, "I just want to say I take full responsibility for what I've done."

Investigators looked at the data recorder in Clevenger's vehicle and determined he was driving 90 mph 11 seconds before the crash and slowed to 87 mph three seconds before striking the median, according to police.

-Emily Monacelli, MLive

Ed Switalski spent 30 years as a firefighter in his native Illinois before his 17 years of service in Comstock, rising to the rank of Fire Chief. His Illinois department sent several trucks as more than 250 emergency vehicles from around the Midwest and all across Michigan formed a miles-long memorial procession on June 21.

Related Video: Watch the Memorial Procession of More Than 250 Emergency Vehicles Honor Fallen Comstock Fire Chief Ed Switalski

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