Police investigate traffic incidents involving alcohol

EASTPOINTE — A series of drunken driving incidents occurred over the holidays.

At around 4:10 a.m. Dec. 27, Eastpointe police officers were dispatched to Gratiot Avenue and Stephens Road on a report of a two-car traffic crash in which a black Ram pickup had been struck by a gray Kia.

Upon investigating, the officers found that the Ram had been waiting at the traffic signal when it was rear-ended by the Kia. The Kia’s driver told police that the accident was his fault, and that he had been coming from a bar. Officers smelled a strong odor of intoxicants on the driver, and the driver’s speech was slurred. Upon agreeing to a sobriety test, he was unable to follow instructions, police said.

A breath sample was also taken, according to police, showing a blood alcohol content of 0.204%, which is two and a half times the legal limit. The driver was taken into custody and charged with operating while under the influence, first offense.

In a separate incident the same day, at around 11:30 p.m., police officers were dispatched to northbound Gratiot Avenue near Owen Avenue to investigate another traffic crash.

Upon their arrival, the officers observed that a Cadillac Escalade had jumped the curb in the median and struck a large tree, with the driver unresponsive and trapped in the vehicle. The police called Eastpointe firefighters, who extricated the driver from the vehicle and took him to a hospital where he was in critical condition.

Officers smelled intoxicants coming from the driver’s person, and a blood sample was sent to the Michigan State Police lab for further investigation, according to police.

The third incident occurred shortly after the start of the New Year, at around 3:30 a.m. Jan. 1. An Eastpointe police officer stationed on northbound Gratiot Avenue near Glander Avenue saw a silver sedan traveling at 51 miles per hour on a stretch of road where the speed limit is 40.

A traffic stop was initiated, and the officer said the driver had glassy, bloodshot eyes; slurred speech; and a strong odor of intoxicants. The driver was unable to provide her driver’s license or proof of insurance upon request, and she could not complete a sobriety test as instructed, police said.

When her breath test was taken, her blood alcohol content level registered as 0.116%. She was taken into custody, and her case was pending review by the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office.

“The Eastpointe Police Department wants to remind the public not to drive while intoxicated,” Eastpointe Police Lt. Alexander Holish said in an email. “When someone is doing it, they endanger themselves and other motorists. Also, they are at risk of being arrested. Taxicab, Lift or Uber are much cheaper than an OWI charge. Sleeping in one’s own bed at home is also much more comfortable than spending a night in jail. Please drive responsibly.”