OTSEGO COUNTY – Michigan State Police (MSP) troopers avoided being struck by a driverless vehicle Nov. 18.
According to an MSP statement, at about 6 p.m. a trooper from the Gaylord post responded to a report of a blue Pontiac Grand Prix driving recklessly.
The trooper turned northbound on Old 27 Highway and watched as an unoccupied blue Pontiac Grand Prix narrowly missed his patrol vehicle. The car continued on into the EZ Mart entrance and struck another car parked at the gas pump.
Prior to the crash, on the corner of Passenheim Rd and Old 27 Hwy, a witness said the driver of the Pontiac, a 57-year-old woman from Grayling, told him someone had crashed into her car. The witness called 911.
The woman became belligerent with the witness and attempted to drive away. The witness told the woman the police were on their way and at that time she got out of the vehicle, while it was still running and in drive. The woman began to walk away as the car drove off.
The trooper spoke with the woman and noticed she emitted a strong odor of intoxicants, had blood shot watery eyes, and had slurred speech. She had difficulty maintaining her balance, refused to listen to the trooper, and attempted to walk away.
She was subsequently arrested for operating while intoxicated, and
resisting and obstructing police.
