With the situation originating in Lapeer County and bleeding over into Tuscola County, several Thumb-area agencies responded to contain the chaos of an armed and dangerous driver Sunday night.
Lapeer County authorities alerted the Tuscola County Sheriff’s Office of an unfolding situation involving an erratic driver. Initially pursued by Lapeer County officers for traffic violations, the pursuit was eventually halted as reports indicated the driver was firing a weapon as they headed north on M-24. Despite efforts, Lapeer officers could not relocate the suspect.
The driver was soon spotted by Tuscola County Sheriff Deputies, evading capture and prompting a pursuit along M-24. The knowledge that the driver was armed, as well as his erratic driving and veering between fog lines, amplified officers’ urgency in intercepting the suspect before they reached Caro. Before the suspect entered Caro, he sideswiped a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado, with the occupants, a 33-year-old man and 32-year-old woman, both from Marlette, escaping injury.
To contain the threat, Caro PD strategically deployed spike strips near Gun Club Road, effectively puncturing the suspect’s tires. As the suspect approached Frank Street, he lost control and careened into an unoccupied house. Emergency response units, including Caro Fire and MMR, responded to the scene. The 48-year-old North Branch man was found unresponsive and was promptly transported to a Saginaw Hospital. Fortunately, no officers or civilians sustained injuries during the incident.
While the driver is expected to survive, the recovered firearms and ammunition from the vehicle add complexity to the case, as well as pending charges against the individual.
According to the Tuscola County Sheriff’s Office, the investigation is ongoing and information is subject to change.
