Police say drunken driver crashed his car in front of state trooper in Ypsilanti
A man who was extremely intoxicated lost control of his vehicle on I-94 at the Michigan Avenue exit in Ypsilanti, crashed through several large road signs and came to a stop in a ditch about 30 feet from a state police trooper who was parked on the street Tuesday night, state police said in a press release.
The 43-year-old man was unable to stand without help after the crash, which occurred about 8:30 p.m., the release said. He could not complete sentences or follow simple directions. He told the trooper he was drunk and wanted to skip sobriety tests and be taken directly to jail, the release said.
Once there, a breath test indicated he had a blood alcohol level of .3 percent, nearly four times that at which a person can be considered intoxicated.
The state police will seek to have the driver prosecuted under Michigan's new "super-drunk" law, the press release said. That law, which went into effect Oct. 31, carries stiffer penalties than ordinary drunken driving convictions. A person sentenced under the new law, which applies to those with blood alcohol levels above .17 percent, can receive additional jail time, ignition interlock requirements and longer license sanctions.
The driver was taken to St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Superior Township before being taken to the Washtenaw County Jail.
Comments
huh7891
Wed, Nov 10, 2010 : 1:07 p.m.
Probably my comment removed, so I have revised it. Funny you will allow "somewhat concerned " to have a debate with themselves over the competency of the AAPD vs a State Trooper, but remove my remark. The article is about a "super drunk" driver that crashed in front of the police. Did I miss something?? Where is the story about how AAPD performs compared to a Michigan state trooper.
bunnyabbot
Wed, Nov 10, 2010 : 12:40 p.m.
you almost have to wonder if someone that drunk saying just take me to the jail almost had a death wish. IT's like, fine, you want to drink yourself to.3 and die, go ahead, just don't take anyone else with you. seems to be a lot of drunk driving stories lately
Hmm
Wed, Nov 10, 2010 : 12:35 p.m.
What exactly would they be charged with PCS? They are not operating a vehicle just walking down the street, are you saying you think the police should be arresting pedestrians under the super drunk law?
PhillyCheeseSteak
Wed, Nov 10, 2010 : 11:23 a.m.
Does the new "super drunk" law just apply to drivers with a blood alcohol level over.17? Can people not driving also be charged? For example, after a U of M home football game, annarbor.com always reports how many people people were arrested at the game. Could someone in that circumstance be arrested as a "super drunk"?
DonBee
Wed, Nov 10, 2010 : 11:15 a.m.
This was a true Homer Simpson moment. I am glad that the officer was there to keep the driver from having further problems. I am also glad no one was injured.
RJA
Wed, Nov 10, 2010 : 10:48 a.m.
I'm just happy he didn't crash into the State Police car. To somewhat concerned, try this stunt in front of AAPD, and see if they notice. There are not enough officers to cover many areas. (and then they keep cutting back).
grye
Wed, Nov 10, 2010 : 10:24 a.m.
Wonder if the driver also received a ticket for being illegally parked in the ditch.
Somewhat Concerned
Wed, Nov 10, 2010 : 10:21 a.m.
I didn't see anything blaming the cops. Did I miss something? (I did see my post comparing the competence of the AAPD to the State Police with respect to nabbing drunk drivers.)
Davidian
Wed, Nov 10, 2010 : 10:16 a.m.
I didn't see any reference to a bar serving him. Did I miss something?
leaguebus
Wed, Nov 10, 2010 : 9:53 a.m.
How quick we blame someone else! Its the cops, its the bar, give me a break! Let the driver face the consequences of his actions.
Somewhat Concerned
Wed, Nov 10, 2010 : 9:31 a.m.
If they enforced any such law in Ann Arbor, there would be no bars left.
SpartyInExile
Wed, Nov 10, 2010 : 9:22 a.m.
The Dram Shop law should be enforced if he left an establishment. Serving up to 0.30 should be grounds for loss of liquor license.
Somewhat Concerned
Wed, Nov 10, 2010 : 8:55 a.m.
State troopers must have better eyesight than AAPD officers. If it had happened in front of an AAPD patrol car, the cop probably would not have noticed. They don't notice the drunk and reckless driving all over the student areas of AA.