A Macomb County jury has convicted Eric Compton, 42, of Eastpointe, of operating a motor vehicle with a high blood and alcohol content (BAC), causing death with a prior conviction (20-year felony).
The 42-year-old was also convicted of operating a motor vehicle with a high BAC causing serious injury with a prior conviction (10-year felony) after a three-day trial.
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The incident occurred on Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2021, when Compton was driving under the influence of alcohol at a high rate of speed and struck a motorcycle carrying Brad Ruff and his wife Patti at Holland and Rosalind avenues.
Ruff was the longtime owner of Kelly’s Bar in Hamtramck.
Compton is a habitual third offender, which increases the maximum sentence of 40 years due to his prior convictions.
“Thank you to the Macomb County Jury for their careful deliberation in this case,” said Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido. “This is a stark reminder this holiday season to drive responsibly. Drive safe, and don’t drink and drive.”
