A section of M-24, from Atwater to Flint Street, was closed after a serious accident Saturday afternoon.
According to Lake Orion Police Chief Jerry Narsh, at 2:45 p.m., a 2002 maroon Cadillac, driven by a 52-year-old Washington Township man with two other passengers, was heading south on Broadway.
Narsh said, according to witness statements, the driver disregarded the stop sign and attempted to enter, without looking, into northbound M-24 traffic, directly into the path of a 1997 GMC Jimmy, driven by a 41-year-old Oxford man, with a 25-year-old pregnant Oxford woman as a passenger.
‘This was a rather substantial crash,? Narsh said, noting that the woman was transported to St. Joseph Pontiac for evaluation, with the main concern being for her pregnancy.
According to Narsh, the responsible driver had to be extracted from his vehicle, and while not severely injured, was also transported for medical evaluation.
Narsh said evidence at the scene indicated that alcohol was a factor, and the responsible driver was cited for operating while intoxicated (OWI), as well as careless driving. A search warrant was obtained for blood, and results are still pending.
In addition, according to Narsh, evidence at the scene indicated that not only was the responsible driver under the influence, but so were his two passengers.
‘This is not the pattern time for drunk driving accidents,? Narsh said, noting that the accident occurred at 2:45 on a Saturday afternoon. ‘Yet, it reminds us, once again, at any time of the day, anywhere, you can instantly become the victim of a drunk driver.?
‘We are fortunate that no one was killed,? he added.
Narsh said many witnesses stopped and offered valuable information resulting in the charges that were filed.
Officers had to shut down a section of M-24 to complete their investigation, and Narsh noted this created a massive back-up in traffic.
‘Once again, we are reminded of the violence on our roads caused by drunk driving,? he added. ‘It can occur to anyone at any time.?