GRAND RAPIDS (WWJ) - A 39-year-old man accused of crashing into a police patrol car head-on while driving drunk last month in West Michigan had at least two previous convictions for driving while intoxicated, a judge revealed on Thursday.
Jack Allen Case, 39, a resident of the Grand Rapids area, was arraigned in Grand Rapids District Court on Thursday on multiple charges, including operating while intoxicated causing serious injury and third-offense operating while intoxicated for the incident that occurred three weeks ago.
If convicted on the first charge -- which is a felony -- Case could face up to five years behind bars while the third OWI offense is punishable by at least 30 days, and up to five years, in prison.
According to authorities, Case was driving a Toyota Camry with the lights off while going south on Eastern on May 11th when his vehicle crossed the center line and collided head-first into a Grand Rapids patrol car.
Both the police officer and Case were taken to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The officer continues to recover at home and is off-duty for several more months before he can be cleared to return to work, authorities added.
Case is accused of driving drunk, Grand Rapids police say.
During his arraignment via Zoon on Thursday, the judge said the 39-year-old appeared to have substance abuse issues -- especially when two other prior convictions for DWI came to light.
The judge set bond at $3,000 and ordered Case to wear an alcohol monitoring device is he is able to leave jail. He is currently held at the Kent County Correctional Facility.
If he posts bond, Case was also ordered not to use any intoxicants while out and must complete an assessment for substance abuse.
Case spoke to the judge and said he is a homeowner and works a full-time job while attending classes at Grand Rapids Community College. He is currently on medical leave while recovering from his injuries.
He asked for a court-appointed attorney.