Crawford Co Sheriff's Office News Release Saturday March 11th, 2006

Crawford County Sheriff, Kirk A. Wakefield on Friday March 11, 2006 at approximately 1:36 p.m. in the afternoon “Emergency 911” telephone lines began to ring from motorists traveling on I-75 SB reporting a vehicle going the wrong way on the limited access highway.

Initial reports had been received by 911 officials in Roscommon County that the vehicle was NB in the SB lane on I-75 near 9 Mile Hill some 10 miles south of the Roscommon County/Crawford County boarder. After Roscommon County law enforcement officials were unable to get into a position to intercept the vehicle, it entered Crawford County. Motorists calling 911 reported that the “silver colored Saturn” had “stopped” along the shoulder of I-75 at a location north of M-76 near the 246 mile marker in Beaver Creek Twp. Reports indicated that the vehicle was still facing the wrong direction and that the driver was not making any attempts to turn around.

As Crawford County law enforcement officials responded to this location 911 calls were received that the vehicle continued NB in the SB lane at a fast rate of speed. A Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officer was the first to intercept the suspect vehicle on I-75 near the US-127 exchange. The suspect failed to pull over and continued NB at a fast rate of speed. At 4 mile road a Sheriff’s Department patrol car was warning motorist traveling SB to get off the road as the suspect vehicle approached being followed by the DNR Conservation Officer. A traffic stop was attempted by the Sheriff’s Office Car, however the suspect disregarded the lights and siren and continued NB in the SB lane at a fast rate of speed.

Due to heavy Friday afternoon vehicle traffic extreme concerns of a devastating head on collision was very possible. As Crawford County Law Enforcement officials continued to attempt to get the suspect vehicle to stop requests were made to Crawford County Central Dispatch to notify Gaylord area Law Enforcement to “shut down” the SB lane of I-75. As this was occurring the Grayling City Police Department had arrived at I-75 SB and Hartwick Pines Road and began to direct motorists off I-75 onto Hartwick Pines Road as well as position his patrol car in the Highway with the emergency lights and siren going.

As the suspect vehicle approached seconds later the suspect saw the traffic tie up and Grayling City Police at which time he turned around and fled back SB now going in the correct direction. After approximately 1 mile of Law enforcement pursuit back SB the suspect pulled over and was taken into custody by the Sheriff’s office. The suspect was identified as a 48 year old Warren, Michigan man. He is currently in the Crawford County Jail being held on a $20,000 Bond. Charges consist of O.W.I. (operating while intoxicated), Fleeing and attempting to Elude police, and going the “Wrong Way” on a divided highway. The Warren man’s name will not be released until he has been arraigned in District Court.

Agencies involved in assisting the Sheriff’s Office were the Department of Natural resources, and the Grayling City Police Department. No one was injured and no damage was done to any of the vehicles involved in the pursuit.

“This incident had big tragedy written all over it, and we’re very happy it ended the way it did”.

Submitted by: Sergeant Randell R. Baerlocher