The head of Michigan's health department became the latest and the highest-ranking official to face felony charges in the Flint water crisis Wednesday.
Michigan's attorney general charged Health and Human Services Director Nick Lyon with involuntary manslaughter and misconduct for allegedly not alerting the public to a Legionnaires' disease outbreak that led to 12 deaths.
Lead from from old pipes made its way into the water system after officials failed to treat Flint River water to reduce corrosion. Nearly 100,000 Flint residents were potentially exposed to contaminated water, which dramatically changed the lives of those affected.
"It hurts to be alive. Live with us for a week; shower where we shower. Live through the bottled water; the crinkling, awful sound of bottled water; and the caps everywhere. See what it's like to actually live there," Flint resident and activist Melissa Mays said.
Lyon could face a 15-year sentence if he's found guilty on the involuntary manslaughter charge. So far, Michigan's attorney general has filed criminal charges against 15 people related to the Flint water crisis.
Christian Bryant
