Police have recently discovered that the 19-year-old driver charged in last Saturday’s two-vehicle accident in Berlin Township already had several DUIs on her record and did not have a valid driver’s license at the time of the accident.
The accident on December 17 occurred when six underage individuals left the Berville Hotel Bar & Grill in two pickup trucks, with an 18 and 19-year-old driving despite being intoxicated. While attempting to pass each other on Capac Road, the trucks collided, sending both vehicles rolling multiple times as they left the road. Of the six, three individuals were ejected, with five being taken to McLaren Lapeer Hospital.
In an interview to WXYZ Detroit Channel 7 Action News, St. Clair County Sheriff Mat King commented that the 19-year-old driver “was in a panic because she knew that she had already had convictions for drunk driving, and she couldn’t afford to get another drunk driving.”
While one man was found pinned under the truck at the scene, he only sustained minor injuries, whereas another passenger was transported to Beaumont Royal Oak Hospital after he was found unconscious. He remains in the hospital on a ventilator due to his extensive injuries.
Though the teens have not been arraigned yet, the 18-year-old driver is facing an Operating While Intoxicated Charge, while the 19-year-old is charged with Operating while Intoxicated 3rd causing serious injury.
Investigation is still ongoing, with the owners of the pickup trucks saying the teenagers did not have permission to use the vehicles.
