SCC Sheriff says that 19-year-old female driver had previous DUIs
ST. CLAIR COUNTY — A police investigation reveals that the 19-year-old female driver charged in last Saturday’s (Dec. 17) two-vehicle accident on Capac Rd. in Berlin Twp. had several previous DUIs on her record.
She also did not have a valid driver’s license at the time of the accident.
Police indicate that both drivers (ages 18 and 19) were intoxicated when they left a Berville drinking establishment in two pickup trucks.
The owners of the pickup trucks say the teenagers did not have their permission to use the vehicles.
Initial reports indicated that the underage individuals had presented fake IDs in order to be served alcohol.
That information has been turned over the Michigan Liquor Control Commission as part of an ongoing investigation.
St. Clair County Sheriff Mat King believes the female driver must have understood the consequences of her actions.
“I think she was in a panic because she knew that she had already had convictions for drunk driving,” Sheriff King said, “She knew she couldn’t afford to get another drunk driving.”
King reported that one of the drivers was attempting to pass the other on Capac Road, when the trucks collided and rolled over multiple times upon leaving the roadway.
He said one man found pinned under the truck sustained only minor injuries, while another male passenger unconscious at the scene was transported to Beaumont Royal Oak Hospital, where he is reported to be on a ventilator due to extensive injuries.
Sheriff King alluded the tragic irony of Saturday’s crash, pointing out that that the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office had just kicked off its 2022 “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign.
Though the investigation is ongoing, Sheriff King expects that the female driver will be charged with Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) 3rd offense, causing serious injury; and the other driver will be charged with Operating While Intoxicated (DWI).
Tom Wearing started at the Tri-City Times in 1989, covering the Village of Capac as a beat reporter. He later served stints as assistant editor and editor. Today, he covers Imlay City and Almont as a staff writer. He enjoys music and plays drums and sings with various musical groups in the Detroit Metropolitan area.
