MONROE, Mich. — A Monroe man was sentenced to at least eight years in prison after a fatal accident following last year’s Fourth of July fireworks show at Sterling State Park. William Clay Cordell, 24, was driving a Ford F-150 pickup on July 3 when he struck and killed David Revels II, who was walking along State Park Drive. The victim died from his injuries at Corewell Health Trenton Hospital.
According to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, the incident occurred around 11 p.m. as Revels was walking near Durocher Street. The pickup, driven by Cordell, struck Revels and fled the scene. At the time of the collision, the southeast lane of State Park Drive was being used to reduce traffic congestion, and law enforcement officers were directing vehicles.
Cordell was apprehended after a passenger in his vehicle provided a tip, and he confessed to the homicide. He pleaded no contest in November to involuntary manslaughter and failure to stop at the scene of an accident resulting in death. As part of a plea agreement, Cordell agreed to a sentence of 8 to 15 years on each count.
The original charge of second-degree murder was dismissed as part of the plea agreement. Cordell expressed his remorse to the victim’s family at the sentencing, where Revels’ mother and sister spoke about their frustration and devastation. Cordell did not provide a written statement in the pre-sentence report.
Revels’ estate has also filed a civil lawsuit against Cordell in Monroe County Circuit Court. The prosecutor’s office confirmed that neither drugs nor alcohol appeared to be a factor in Cordell’s actions, based on the evidence. The sentences for the involuntary manslaughter and failure to stop at the scene of an accident will run concurrently and he received credit for 191 days already served on each count.
The investigation was led by Detective Robert Blair of the sheriff’s office, and the case was prosecuted by Kenneth Laurain and Jonathan Jones. Cordell was represented by attorney Mark Ellis of Livonia. The prosecutor’s office commended the law enforcement’s efforts in identifying and apprehending Cordell.