Suspected drunken driver in Burger King drive-thru hits officer with car

Pittsfield Township Deputy Police Chief Gordy Schick released a statement Thursday afternoon detailing the incident at the Burger King at 6190 W. Michigan Ave. Police were called at 1:38 p.m. Thursday to the Burger King — nearly right across the street from the police station.

The two men inside a 2003 Ford Taurus were “causing a disturbance with employees” as they went through the drive-thru, Schick said. Police repeatedly told the 40-year-old Ypsilanti man who was driving to park the Taurus, but the man continued to disobey orders, he said.

“As officers continued to attempt to have the driver pull over, he accelerated at a high rate of speed through the parking lot and struck an officer before exiting the parking lot,” Schick said. “The officer was knocked to the ground and sustained minor injuries.”

Police pursued the Taurus on a short chase westbound on Michigan Avenue. Eventually, the pursuit ended at Michigan Avenue and Saulk Trail Drive.

Schick said the driver of the Taurus resisted arrest but was eventually subdued and taken into custody. It is unlikely the passenger in the vehicle will be charged in the incident.

Charges are pending against the driver, Schick said. Police believe the man was intoxicated.

The incident remains under investigation.

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