An appeal has been denied for the Buchanan man accused of killing a Berrien County road worker in July of 2022.

The case will proceed to trial, with Taylor Ryan Johnson standing accused of OWI causing death.

Police say he hit 57 year-old William “Mack” Isom of Baroda on Red Bud Trail. He was given a field sobriety test and his blood alcohol level was measured at the scene as .194. A test at the hospital was .161. Both numbers are more than twice the legal limit.

A judge found no negligence on the part of the victim in a ruling last June, and the Michigan Supreme Court said on Thursday that they were denying a request from Johnson for leave to appeal an order from the Michigan Court of Appeals.

He faces up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.