Former Michigan House Speaker Craig DeRoche enters plea in alcohol-related incident
Former Michigan House Speaker Craig DeRoche pleaded guilty to impaired driving in connection with an incident in Saline in February, city officials said.
DeRoche, of Novi, was charged with one count of first-offense operating a vehicle while intoxicated by Saline City Attorney Allan Grossman following his Feb. 9 arrest.
Craig DeRoche
Police reports indicated witnesses saw DeRoche staggering in the snow near downtown Saline at about 5:30 p.m. Reports say he tried to evade officers by entering multiple businesses, and he was found sitting next to an electrical transformer behind a building.
Reports said officers were unable to perform standard sobriety tests because of his level of intoxication, which preliminary tests determined was .249, three times the legal limit to operate a vehicle in Michigan.
Officers found DeRoche’s Cadillac parked in a nearby driveway with significant tire and side damage. He said he was leaving the city after having a few drinks at a business meeting when the tire blew out.
DeRoche was scheduled to appear at a district court hearing later this month, but instead entered the plea during a brief court appearance in late March, records stated. Sentencing on the misdemeanor charge is scheduled for next month.
DeRoche was speaker for one of his three terms in the State House and was the Republican Party minority leader for another.
Art Aisner is a freelance writer for AnnArbor.com. Reach the news desk at news@annarbor.com or 734-623-2530.
Comments
Steve Pepple
Tue, Apr 13, 2010 : 8:02 a.m.
A comment was removed because it contained a personal attack against another commenter.
Old Salt
Sun, Apr 11, 2010 : 12:12 p.m.
Anyone too drunk to be tested for a sobreity test should not be allowed to plea to imparied driving. There are too many drivers out there who drive with a suspended license or even a revoked license, anyone who pleads to or is quilty of driving under the infulence of alcohol should have their licenses revoked or suspended and their vehicle impounded for as long as their license is revoked or suspended and anyone who knowingly lets that person drive their car should have their car impounded also. 100 persons die on our highways everyday many are killed by drunk " Impaired" drivers.
Ricebrnr
Sun, Apr 11, 2010 : 10:53 a.m.
+1 oldrustynail. I was going to write something similar just this morning but decided to be nice, it being Sunday morning and all. Thanks for saving me the efffort!
oldrustynail
Sun, Apr 11, 2010 : 10:47 a.m.
Taking responsibility for his actions? First he evaded police officers. He said he had a 'few drinks' but his level of intoxication was over three times over the legal limit, which indicates he had more than just a few drinks. He admitted he drove under the influence. His behavior shows he was falling down drunk and a danger to others while behind the wheel. No wonder he took a plea. If he gone to court, the charges against could have cost him time behind bars.
swcornell
Sun, Apr 11, 2010 : 9:48 a.m.
I hope he moves on without his car. Why don't we take the cars away from these drunks?
Basic Bob
Sat, Apr 10, 2010 : 3:26 p.m.
I commend Mr. DeRoche for taking responsibility for his actions. Many people have made the same error in judgment, and I'm sure he will find plenty of support. Thankfully no one was hurt and he can move on.