OTSEGO COUNTY — A Saranac man is facing multiple drunk driving and wrongful death charges after he allegedly crossed the centerline while intoxicated in a Sept. 20, 2025 incident.
According to a Michigan State Police statement, troopers from the Gaylord post responded to the personal injury crash at about 1:20 p.m. on M-32 near Buell Road in Elmira Township.
A preliminary investigation found a Ford SUV allegedly driven by Michael Burlingame, 70, of Saranac, was traveling east on M-32 when it crossed the centerline and hit a westbound Dodge pickup head-on. Four people were in the pickup.
Burlingame suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to a local hospital.
The pickup was driven by a 78-year-old Gaylord man. The front-seat passenger was a 79-year-old man from Plymouth. Two 76-year-old women — one from Gaylord and one from Plymouth — were in the back seat. The front-seat passenger and both back-seat passengers were taken to the hospital with critical injuries. The driver had non-life-threatening injuries and also was taken for treatment.
During a search of Burlingame’s SUV, troopers found a handgun and said he did not have a Concealed Pistol License. The weapon was seized.
On Nov. 3, 2025, the 76-year-old woman from Gaylord died from injuries suffered in the crash.
MSP continued investigating and sent findings to the Otsego County Prosecutor’s Office for review. Burlingame was arrested without incident Feb. 12 and lodged at the Otsego County Jail.
Burlingame was arraigned Feb. 13 in 87-A District Court in Otsego County on the following charges:
- One count: Operating — While Intoxicated Causing Death
- One count: Reckless Driving Causing Death
- Two counts: Operating — While Intoxicated Causing Serious Injury
- Two counts: Reckless Driving Causing Serious Impairment of a Body Function
- One count: Weapons-Carrying Concealed Weapon
His next court appearance is scheduled for Feb. 19 at 1:35 p.m.
Troopers were assisted by the Seventh District Fugitive Team.
