Police say man who appeared intoxicated crashed stolen AATA vehicle into bookstore this morning
Workers repair a window broken when an SUV stolen from the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority crashed into Michigan Book and Supply on State Street this morning.
David Jesse | AnnArbor.com
He was transported to the University of Michigan Hospital emergency room following the 6:13 a.m. crash near South State Street and North University Avenue in Ann Arbor, police said.
It isn’t known if he suffered injuries in the crash, but no one else was injured, U-M police spokesperson Diane Brown said.
The 45-year-old driver appeared intoxicated; he’ll be given a blood test for drugs and alcohol according to standard procedure, Brown said. No charges have been filed.
An AATA employee reported the Ford Explorer stolen this morning from the Blake Transit Center on South Fourth Avenue, Brown said. Ann Arbor police put out a description of the vehicle to other agencies and a University of Michigan police officer initially spotted it near the intersection of Packard and South State streets, Ann Arbor police spokeswoman Lt. Renee Bush said.
A U-M officer pursued the driver traveling north on State and tried to stop him, Brown said. The driver crashed into the store and a light pole while trying to avoid another vehicle on State Street, she said.
An AnnArbor.com reader submitted this photo of the crash scene this morning.
Comments
Nick
Thu, Sep 23, 2010 : 4:05 a.m.
And remember, in Ann Arbor you have the choice to hit several bookstores...just not in this fashion. :)
sbbuilder
Wed, Sep 22, 2010 : 4:47 p.m.
Silly Tree That is exactly what I was thinking! Curved glass is only make by a couple of outfits, and is extremely expensive. I've noticed the nasty straight sections at the bus station too.
Eddie Spaghetti
Wed, Sep 22, 2010 : 4:35 p.m.
The perpetrator gained entry into the AATA vehicle, which had been locked and parked in the driveway of the Blake Transit Center on Fourth Avenue in downtown Ann Arbor, by breaking one of the vehicle's front windows. Apparently he was unaware that all AATA vehicles are tracked and recorded by a GPS system. In addition, all AATA buses are equipped with GPS, video, and audio recording systems for the safety of riders, employees, and the public. The perpetrator didn't stand a chance of getting away with the vehicle as the AATA Dispatcher was able to give the AAPD real-time information of the vehicle's location and every move it made as it made them.
SillyTree
Wed, Sep 22, 2010 : 3:47 p.m.
I hope they can replace the curved glass the way it was before and they do not have to resort to the cheap ugly fix that was used at the bus station.
Stephen Landes
Wed, Sep 22, 2010 : 1:07 p.m.
@Wystan Stevens Thanks for the history lesson! Two accidents in the same place -- wow. Under A2 Council logic that means the building is at fault and needs to be reprimanded or driven out of town. I can see a Monty Python sketch here.........
Macabre Sunset
Wed, Sep 22, 2010 : 11:40 a.m.
I'm confused. Did the police violate the conversation guidelines by speculating as to the man's intoxication and injury level?
Wystan Stevens
Wed, Sep 22, 2010 : 11:37 a.m.
From the Ann Arbor Police Department's Online History, here is a photo of another crash at the identical location, in the 1960s. Kresge's dimestore was there then: http://aapd.aadl.org/gallery/aapd/PD069.jpg.html
glimmertwin
Wed, Sep 22, 2010 : 10:50 a.m.
Must have been one heck of a night. 6 a.m. is pretty early, or late, to have shine on.
genericreg
Wed, Sep 22, 2010 : 10:05 a.m.
Detroit need border patrol. Only in. No out.
Cash
Wed, Sep 22, 2010 : 9:51 a.m.
I don't know if this is considered off topic or not but I'm wondering how he got the 35-40 miles west as it sounds like he didn't have transportation....I do wonder if a police officer dropped this fellow off in Ann Arbor as the current chief admitted to doing the other day.
LBH
Wed, Sep 22, 2010 : 9:51 a.m.
@Jeffery - you must have seen a different crash scene this AM because that vehicle was sitting upright with its nose crashed through the front window of MBS. The tow truck did quite an impressive job pulling it out of there without damaging the street light poll or the store front any more than it already was.
Stephen Landes
Wed, Sep 22, 2010 : 9:27 a.m.
I'm not making light of this incident, but a "three block chase" just sounds funny to me this morning. It is just so weird when we've been treated to such long chases (OJ?) in the past. Sounds like AAPD was quickly on the scene and got this wrapped up quickly before anyone was hurt.
FeatOfClay
Wed, Sep 22, 2010 : 9:11 a.m.
I was astounded to see this on my way to work this morning. The guy next to me said "I gotta take a picture of this" and whipped out his phone (as did I). One of the workers on site said "You and everyone else." The car was gone at that point but the shattered glass, still holding its curve, was still hanging in its frame.
Jay Allen
Wed, Sep 22, 2010 : 9:08 a.m.
We need to pass an ordinance that has a 1000.00 fine attached to it for SUV's left on their side as they may be a fire hazard.
OldRUSHfan
Wed, Sep 22, 2010 : 9:05 a.m.
Interesting, Stephan, what do you suggest?
Killroy
Wed, Sep 22, 2010 : 9:04 a.m.
Saw this on my way to work. Surreal. The white SUV was on its side in the middle of street. Really disturbing.
OldRUSHfan
Wed, Sep 22, 2010 : 9:03 a.m.
It would be interesting to know the details of how the perpetrator stole the vehicle. Was the vehicle left unlocked? Did he break a window? etc.
breadman
Wed, Sep 22, 2010 : 8:51 a.m.
Did the Driver have to pay 1.50 for the drive away. Now he could be facing more than a one way fare..........
Barb
Wed, Sep 22, 2010 : 8:46 a.m.
No, that was real life. It were on Detroit 1-8-7, someone would be running away handcuffed to a playground slide.
smokeblwr
Wed, Sep 22, 2010 : 8:38 a.m.
Wow, this is weird. I seen on the TV news this morning somebody in Detroit stole an ambulance with the patient still inside! Or was that on Detroit 1-8-7? Real life and reality blur when I'm afraid to leave the house.