A 56-year-old man from Pinconning was recently arrested for drunk driving after rolling his pick-up truck in the median, where Michigan State Police troopers found it shortly thereafter. But what made the arrest more interesting for the troopers was the suspect’s attempt to deal with the open beer bottles he had in his truck at the time of the crash.

MSP troopers were dispatched from the Gaylord post in Otsego County just after 10 at night to the site of the accident in Livingston Township. Police records show that, thankfully, the roll-over crash only involved one vehicle, and no one was hurt.

When officers arrived, they discovered the pick up truck had rolled over, and was lying in the median. When they addressed the driver, troopers noted that he carried the distinct odor of intoxicants. In addition, dispatch notified troopers on the scene that someone who had driven past the scene before they arrived, had noted that an individual was attempting to stuff beer cans into the nearby snow.

This was corroborated by the tow truck driver, who had also noted beer cans lying around the vehicle when he arrived. Troopers conducted a roadside sobriety test and then arrested the suspect for drinking and driving. He was transported to the Otsego County Jail, where he will be held until he posts bail.

As it turns out, this was the individual’s third operating while intoxicated offense, in addition to it being his second driving on a suspended license. Police records reveal that the man later admitted to officers that he had been drunk driving, and that he had also had open beers in his vehicle. He was therefore also charged with open intoxicants.

Under Michigan law, operating while intoxicated, third offense, is an automatic felony. It is punishable by having your license suspended for up to five years, along with having your car either immobilized or forfeited for up to three years.

In addition, a person convicted of drunk driving third offense could be sent to prison for 1 to 5 years, along with fines of up to $5,000 and as many as 180 days of court-ordered community service.