Supt. denies OKing AD to drive drunk

PARCHMENT, Mich. (WOOD) - The superintendent of Parchment Public Schools said he was with the high school athletic director (who is also the middle school assistant principal) the night the athletic director was arrested, but the two left separately.   

In a statement released to 24 Hour News 8 Thursday afternoon, Superintendent Matthew Miller said that until a news reporter called, he "had no reason to believe that John was in any trouble."

Parchment athletic director and middle school assistant principal John Thompson was arrested April 4 after he led police on a chase that at times topped speeds of 125 mph, according to a police report.

Thompson's BAC on the night of his arrest was .25 -- more than three times the legal limit of .08.

He was arraigned Wednesday on one count of fleeing in a vehicle and one count of operating under the influence with a BAC of more than .17 -- a charge under what is referred to as the 'super drunk' law.

At the time of his arrest, according to a police report, Thompson told police that Parchment Superintendent Matt Miller had been with him before he left Richland Pub on the night of the incident and said Thompson "would be fine."

The report says that "Thompson said he wanted me [the officer] to call Matt, who was with him tonight. Thompson said the only reason he fled is because Matt said he would be fine. Thompson went on to say that Matt was the superintendent. He said that he was the principal of Parchment High School and that Matt could make this OK."

Thursday, Miller released a statement saying that though they were together having dinner and talking, Thompson left without him knowing and his car was gone when Miller looked in the parking lot.

Miller said his main concern remains with the well-being of John Thompson.

Thompson has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the judicial process, according to Miller.

Requests for comment from the Parchment Police Department and Richland Pub were denied.