GAYLORD (WWJ) – A Northern Michigan woman is facing charges after allegedly getting out of her car and leaving it in drive, shortly before it nearly hit a Michigan State Police trooper.
The incident happened around 6 p.m. Saturday in Gaylord as MSP troopers were called to the scene for reports of a blue Pontiac Grand Prix driving recklessly.
As the trooper turned onto Old 27 Highway in Gaylord, the unoccupied Grand Prix nearly hit his patrol car before proceeding into a BP gas station parking lot and hitting an SUV at the pump.
Prior to the crash, at the corner of Passenheim Road and Old 27 Hwy., a witness told police the driver of the Pontiac, a 57-year-old woman from Grayling, told him someone had crashed into her car, so the witness called 911.
The woman became belligerent with the witness and attempted to drive away, according to MSP. The witness told the woman the police were on their way and at that time she got out of the vehicle, while it was still running and in drive.
She began to walk away as the car drove off, eventually leading to the crash in the gas station parking lot.
When the trooper went to speak with the woman, he noticed she smelled of alcohol and had bloodshot, watery eyes and slurred speech. She had difficulty maintaining her balance, refused to listen to the trooper, and tried to walk away.
She was eventually arrested for operating while intoxicated and resisting and obstructing police.
The woman’s name was not released.