Crawford Co Sheriff's Office News Release Wednesday May 31st, 2006

Sheriff Kirk Wakefield states that on 5-31-06 at approximately 11:08 pm Crawford County Deputies were dispatched to assist a Grayling Police Officer whose vehicle had been struck by a hit and run driver.

The Grayling City Police Department car was northbound on the I-75 Business Loop approaching the M-72 west intersection when the eastbound vehicle ran the red light and struck the front of the patrol car. The Grayling City police car skidded from the impact striking a stopped car that was on Lake Street. Grayling City Police Patrolman Robert Butzin observed the suspect vehicle continuing east on Lake Street, then turning on Spruce Street.

Upon arrival of Crawford County Sheriff’s Deputies, the suspect vehicle was located, unoccupied, approximately two blocks away from the scene of the accident. A K-9 unit was requested to the scene from the Michigan State Police out of Gaylord. The K-9 unit confirmed the location of the suspect residence. The suspect, Nicholas Paul Sala, 19 year old of Grayling, was arrested for operating while intoxicated. Additional charges are being sought.

Patrolman Butzin was treated and released for minor injuries at Grayling Mercy Hospital. Neither Sala nor the occupants of the third vehicle involved were injured.