SCHOOLCRAFT TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WWJ) - A Sheriff in Southwest Michigan found himself behind bars over the weekend after authorities say he was drunk when he crashed into another vehicle and pushed it off the road.
The Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Office said St. Joseph County Sheriff Mark Lillywhite, 47, of Three Rivers, was booked into jail early Sunday morning following a crash on US-131 just south of Schoolcraft near West YZ Ave. in Schoolcraft Township.
Michigan State Police were called in to the scene around 2:20 a.m. and determined Lillywhite was driving south in a Chevy Traverse when he rear-ended another SUV. The impact of the crash forced both vehicles off the road, troopers added.
There were injuries reported, authorities continued, but all were minor.
Witnesses at the scene told state police that Lillywhite's SUV did not have its lights on prior to the crash.
Sheriff's deputies were initially dispatched, but MSP was called in and took over the case.
When interacting with Lillywhite, troopers noticed he appeared to be drunk. He underwent field sobriety tests and was arrested.
Lillywhite was taken to jail on two charges, including operating while intoxicated and possession of a firearm while intoxicated, the Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Office said.
It is not immediately clear if Lillywhite was driving a personal vehicle or a county-owned vehicle at the time of the crash.
Troopers are still investigating the case, which including processing evidence from the scene which could take a couple more days. Once everything is complete, MSP will give to case over to the Kalamazoo County prosecutor to decide charges.
As reported by WOODTV, Lillywhite's driving record showed he was involved in two prior crashes. The first crash, listed in 2016, said Lillywhite failed to stop within an assured clear distance. He took a basic driver improvement course afterward.
Another crash was reported in Nov. 2022 and stated Lillywhite did not take any hazardous action.
There were no reports of injuries in either crash.
