Macomb County Man Faces 9th Drunk Driving Charge

MACOMB COUNTY, MI — A New Haven man with eight prior convictions for operating a car while intoxicated was arrested early Wednesday morning after a crash in Ray Township, according to the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office.

The 49-year-old man will face four charges, including felony operating under the influence, was hurt in the crash and is currently hospitalized, police said in a news release. He will be arraigned after being medically cleared, police said.

The crash occurred at about 1 a.m. on 26 Mile Road west of North Avenue. The Sheriff’s Office said the New Haven man crashed his 1996 blue Plymouth Voyager into a mailbox and then hit the guard wires of a DTE Energy pole, causing it to snap.

Deputies found the vehicle resting against the guard wires. The man, who was the Voyager’s lone occupant, refused a preliminary breath test. A search warrant for his blood was obtained and he was arrested for operating while intoxicated, police said.

Besides the felony charge, he is facing several other charges:

• Operating While License Suspended, Revoked, Denied Second Offense (misdemeanor)
• Motor Vehicle Operation without Security (misdemeanor)
• License Plate Unlawful Use (misdemeanor).

The Macomb County Road Commission closed the road briefly so that DTE workers could repair the damaged pole, police said.

File photo via Shutterstock