Suspected drunken driver crashes into car in Freedom Township, deputies say
A man was arrested Thursday, on suspicion of drunken driving, after investigators say he crashed into a car in Freedom Township and continued driving.
The 59-year-old Canton man was taken into custody after he was found passed out behind the wheel of a Lexus in Bridgewater Township, Washtenaw County sheriff's deputies said.
Deputies say he crashed into a Chevrolet HHR on Schneider Road in Freedom Township about 3 p.m. and continued driving. The HHR ended up in a ditch, sheriff's department spokesman Derrick Jackson said.
Another driver checked on the driver of the HHR and, after calling police, followed the driver of the Lexus to Bemis Road in Bridgewater Township, Jackson said.
When deputies arrested the driver of the Lexus, they found an open liquor bottle in the car, Jackson said. The driver was taken to St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, where he consented to having his blood drawn, so investigators could determine his blood-alcohol level, Jackson said. Results are not yet available.
The man arrested has not yet been arraigned in court.
Lee Higgins covers crime and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached by phone at (734) 623-2527 and email at leehiggins@annarbor.com.
Comments
Karen
Mon, Jun 20, 2011 : 12:06 p.m.
Through skillful avoidance, the driver of the HHR was not hurt. Since he is due to be a first-time father in 3 weeks this was truly a blessing and his level head saved his life!!
Berda Green
Sat, Jun 18, 2011 : 3:32 p.m.
dont drink and drive u lucky u didnt kill yourself or somebody else on the road take his driving liscences away judge he dont need to drive no where ride aata dude
RJA
Fri, Jun 17, 2011 : 10:35 p.m.
Perhaps the Canton man thought he was free in FREEDOM TWP. It's ironic that drunk drivers don't usually don't get injured. More often they kill others. I hope the man is arraigned soon, and gets what he deserves.
M1687
Fri, Jun 17, 2011 : 9:23 p.m.
In my opinion, Freedom Twp. is the DUI capital of Washtenaw county! There are beer cans all over the roads. This story also reminds me of the stop sign at the corner of Bethel Church and Schneider which is completely ignored. Especially during the morning hour commute. They definitely need to crack down on this issue and have a presence even if the Townships do not want to pay for road patrols. Why waste the resources looking for a DUI in the city when you can come to Freedom Township on Friday and Saturday nights and find about a third of the people drunk on the road? Thankfully, this driver did not hurt anyone. What was a guy from Canton during out in Freedom anyways?
smokeblwr
Sat, Jun 18, 2011 : 1:38 a.m.
What is somebody from Canton doing in Freedom Twp? Hmmm....either the liquor is a lot cheaper out there than in the toney boutiques of Canton, or perhaps there is a meth problem with the accused.
Ricebrnr
Fri, Jun 17, 2011 : 8:05 p.m.
When are we going to crack down on drunk driving the way we do on terrorists? There is no substantive difference between drunk drivers and the mad dog "active shooters" like Columbine and Arizona. Except for the deafening silence that follows these near and actual tragedies that those others do not.
JS
Tue, Jun 28, 2011 : 4:43 p.m.
No it doesn't matter what kills someone, they are just as dead from a car crash as they are from a bullet, and truthfully, If I had to go, I'd probably prefer a bullet to the head over a car to the stomach, but still. Also, I think any Olympian worth their salt would acknowledge that their "tool" of choice was initially designed and invented solely to end human life. Lastly, (and I'm NOT supporting drunk driving) you're telling me that when someone hops behind the wheel after a few drinks that they are intending to kill people? sorry, I see what you mean, but that's a big jump from pointing a gun at someone's face and pulling the trigger... @Ricebrnr- While you and I do disagree a lot, I think that on a base level we see agree on quite a bit. I welcome your differing viewpoints as it helps me to expand my worldview and insight into thoughts and life in this crazy world.
Ricebrnr
Sun, Jun 19, 2011 : 2:19 a.m.
Drinking includes intent. Driving includes intent. Not choosing other transportation when you know you are going to be impaired shows intent. As I said what is the substantive difference to the victims of these crimes? Does it matter if it was a 115-230 grain or a multi ton projectile? Well your item that shoots bullets into living creatures (many an Olympian would disagre BTW) kills less people daily than your transportation item. Who is being intellectually dishonest? Really..
JS
Sat, Jun 18, 2011 : 3:13 p.m.
I think you may be missing a little key called "intent". Also, I think cars are built and designed for transportation whereas guns are built for shooting bullets into living creatures. Lastly, I understand that you are simply calling attention to the need to do something about drunk driving and that's great, but likening it to Columbine is not the most effective comparison.
Ken Boyd
Sat, Jun 18, 2011 : 2 p.m.
I think your comment about drunk driving is insane. You think we should react to,"near tragedies" in the same way as terrorism? You really think that an" active shooter" is virtually the same as a drunk driver? Your logic is purely emotional and without any intellectual merit.