DETROIT (WWJ) - An alleged drunk driver facing his third OWI is behind bars after he blew through a red light and narrowly missed smashing into the back of a state police vehicle early Thursday morning.
Michigan State Police First Lt. Mike Shaw said the near-miss encounter happened at the intersection of N. Chrysler Service Drive and 7 Mile in Detroit. Troopers stopped the dangerous driver when he went through a red light and almost rear-ended their patrol car.
When MSP went to question the driver, identified as a 39-year-old from Ferndale, they strongly suspected he was impaired.
The driver was arrested and taken to the North Metro Post where he registered nearly four times over the legal limit.
Troopers also discovered the driver had previous drunk driving offenses and was driving on a suspended license.
"This drivers breath test results were .31 and he was operating a motor vehicle." Shaw said. "This was his third offense and he was also suspended. Thankfully the trooper was able to get him off the street before someone was seriously hurt."
A third Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) conviction is automatically a felony in Michigan.
Possible maximum penalties for a third OWI offense, as outlined by Michigan law, are:
• A $500 to $5,000 fine, and either of the following:
◦ 1 to 5 years imprisonment
◦ Probation, with 30 days to 1 year in jail.
• 60 to 180 days community service.
• Driver's license revocation and denial if there are 2 convictions within 7 years or 3 convictions within 10 years. The minimum period of revocation and denial is 1 year (minimum of 5 years if there was a prior revocation within 7 years).
• License plate confiscation.
• Vehicle immobilization for 1 to 3 years, unless the vehicle is forfeited.
• Possible vehicle forfeiture.
• Vehicle registration denial.
• 6 points added to the offender's driving record.
The 39-year-old was lodged at the Oakland County Jail where his case pends a prosecutor's review.
