Reckless driver trapped in rollover

ANTWERP TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) - A 33-year-old man is facing drunk-driving charges after he crashed his SUV, which rolled over in a Van Buren County yard.

The suspect struck a mailbox at a residence west of 25th Street and Red Arrow Highway in Antwerp Township, police said.

Dispatchers received a call from an off-duty Decatur police officer who then spotted the suspect driving northbound.

Police said the suspect drove through the stop sign at that intersection, went through a yard, resulting in his vehicle striking a tree stump, and then rolling once, ending back on its tires. Debris from the suspect's vehicle hit a car in the resident's driveway.

That off-duty officer lost sight of the suspect's vehicle for a short period of time, but did show up at the crash scene and confirmed it was the vehicle he was following that was driving all over the road, according to a news release.

The suspect from Otsego was trapped in his vehicle, and rescue personnel arrived to extricate him. Police said they are not sure if the suspect wore his seat belt.

The driver suffered numerous internal injuries, along with cuts, bruises and scrapes. He was taken to Bronson LakeView Hospital in Paw Paw, and then to the trauma unit at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo.  

Deputies said alcohol was a factor in the wreck and issued charges of operating while intoxicated with high blood alcohol content/super drunk against the suspect.