Man accused of driving drunk while traveling wrong way on I-94 remains jailed
Scott Christopher Dean
WJBK photo
Scott Christopher Dean, 46, of Ann Arbor, was arraigned Monday at the Washtenaw County Jail on charges of operating while intoxicated third offense, third-degree fleeing and eluding, resisting and obstructing police, failing to stop at an accident resulting in property damage and operating with a suspended license second offense.
Troopers said Dean was heavily intoxicated when he was traveling east in the westbound lanes of the interstate near Scio Church Road, sideswiping a Jaguar that had four people inside.
According to troopers, Dean then struck two concrete barriers before a trooper hit Dean's car with a patrol car to bring it to a stop. Troopers said when Dean attempted to drive away, the trooper hit Dean's car again, pushing it into a ditch. He then arrested him.
No serious injuries were reported. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Aug. 25.
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
Kristin Judge
Sat, Aug 20, 2011 : 5:21 p.m.
Thank you to our State Troopers who brought this man to a stop!
ContreMilice
Thu, Aug 18, 2011 : 1:28 a.m.
Guess your irony is too subtle for once, Road.
ContreMilice
Wed, Aug 17, 2011 : 6:36 p.m.
A comment above: "I am stunned a local magistrate did not release him on nomial [sic] bond and allow him to drive away from the courthouse." According to the article above, the person arrested has a history of DUIs. It's very fortunate that as a result of his driving the wrong way on high speed I-94, no one was killed or seriously injured. Such a repeat offender could very well cause serious injuries or deaths if such behavior is permitted to continue. How anyone could complain that a repeat DUI offender arrested for driving in the wrong direction on an interstate highway "on charges of operating while intoxicated third offense, third-degree fleeing and eluding, resisting and obstructing police, failing to stop at an accident resulting in property damage and operating with a suspended license second offense" was not just allowed to drive off is beyond me. Who knows what could have resulted before he even comes to trial for his latest alleged offenses?
Roadman
Wed, Aug 17, 2011 : 11:09 p.m.
No one is complaining about Dean not being released, Contre. Many are complaining that others are being released like Dean who can still be dangers to those on the road. As Mr. Lillie astutely above agrees.
Fatkitty
Wed, Aug 17, 2011 : 12:37 p.m.
Let's bring back good old colonial public humiliation, complete with stocks and pillory.
donderop
Wed, Aug 17, 2011 : 10:04 a.m.
But when a judge tries to get tough on first-offense drunken drivers? This happens: <a href="http://www.theoaklandpress.com/articles/2011/08/11/news/doc4e43e598266d4098796266.txt" rel='nofollow'>http://www.theoaklandpress.com/articles/2011/08/11/news/doc4e43e598266d4098796266.txt</a>
Thinking over here
Wed, Aug 17, 2011 : 4:39 p.m.
But this is NOT the first offense, or second...
swcornell
Wed, Aug 17, 2011 : 1:04 p.m.
Good article. I'm surprised they only get 26 days for attempted murder. That's what a drunk driver is really guilty of, attempting to kill someone every time they drive a car drunk!
RJA
Wed, Aug 17, 2011 : 4:40 a.m.
Can't wait till the hearing on the 25th. Will he be washed and rung through the ringer or just dusted off?
WalkingJoe
Wed, Aug 17, 2011 : 12:34 a.m.
Why is everyone surprised that this guy was still driving? Even though the courts suspend people's licenses they still drive and still drive drunk. Wish I was smart enough to know what the solution is.
swcornell
Wed, Aug 17, 2011 : 1:02 p.m.
Solution is simple: TAKE THEIR CAR AWAY FROM THEM! and don't allow them to own one. If they take someone elses car, charge them with car theft!
tommy_t
Tue, Aug 16, 2011 : 10:18 p.m.
The demon juice has probably got him but still he has to be kept off the road one way or another. Another trashed life at this point but he could still make a comeback if he has the will and some help to get sober before he kills himself or others.
swcornell
Tue, Aug 16, 2011 : 9:08 p.m.
They should charge him with attempted murder! Why do we have to wait until he kills someone to nip this in the bud? I do hope someone's smart enough to do the obvious: TAKE HIS CAR AWAY FROM HIM!
Mark
Tue, Aug 16, 2011 : 8:55 p.m.
It's a good thing there were no serious injuries or fatalities resulting from this incident. From the prior story, Dean had admitted to drinking 3 six-packs of beer at a Kid Rock concert. That's 18 cans of beer. 6th arrest for DWI. I'll bet a pint of ale that this guy has been doing this for years. Aside from incarceration or some sort of electronic tether, or putting him in a live-in substance abuse program, he'll do it again until the next time, somebody won't be so lucky. The only thing he didn't do was run over ducklings. I guess the judge will go easy on him again.
81wolverine
Tue, Aug 16, 2011 : 11:12 p.m.
Makes you wonder why this guy is even on the streets seeing as where this is his 6th DWI arrest. I would assume he lost his license ages ago.
Roadman
Tue, Aug 16, 2011 : 8:41 p.m.
I am stunned a local magistrate did not release him on nomial bond and allow him to drive away from the courthouse. Why is this case different from some of the recent ones where nominal bonds were issued after death or serious injury was inflicted on another motorist or bystander?
Merritt Lillie
Wed, Aug 17, 2011 : 1:41 a.m.
I agree completely. I find the injustice pathetic. A man walked free a week ago and now his trial is postponed another 34 days. He gets all that freedom and I no longer have an Uncle.......
nickcarraweigh
Tue, Aug 16, 2011 : 7:53 p.m.
It takes a few days to cook up a nice batch of prune-o or spud juice, so the guy may be drying out for a while yet.