A suspect has been arrested and arraigned in the hit-and-run case that occurred in Big Bay last year.

Michael Nels Nelson, 46, of Big Bay was charged with failure to stop at the scene of an accident, resulting in the death of NMU registered dietitian Robin Rahoi. The accident occurred on CR-KCB in Big Bay on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2013.

Sgt. Kevin Dowling of Michigan State Police said the investigation was a three-month process.

“Well, of course, we investigate completely based on the facts and circumstances we are presented with,” Dowling said. “In this certain case there was a number of leads that we investigated, witnesses that we spoke with and physical evidence that we processed at the scene that became the totality of the investigation; therefore, once that’s concluded, we have enough evidence to support a criminal charge.”

According to Dowling, Nelson was arraigned Tuesday, March 25 in the 96th district court in Ishpeming via video conference.

“That’s the first process of the criminal complaint,” Dowling said. “We arrested him on the outstanding charges and his first court appearance is an arraignment before a judge at which point he is formally advised of the charges against him.”

In the following weeks the case will be moving forward.

“In the process, at this point the judge will schedule a preliminary exam,” Dowling said. “Typically it has to be scheduled within 12 days of the time of arrest.”

A preliminary examination is scheduled for Nelson at 3:45 p.m. Monday, April 7.