Kent County man arrested for wrong-way driving on US-131, suspected of OWI
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Kent County, MI - Kent County Sheriff's deputies say it’s lucky no one was hurt, after pulling over a wrong-way driver in the northbound lanes on US-131 near 76th Street.
Sergeant Scott Dietrich said that several calls started coming in around 1:30 Tuesday morning.
“When people are driving, and they see a wrong-way driver, they're going to be calling us right away. So, there were several reports of near misses on those vehicles,” Dietrich said. “Any police officers that are in the area, we're kind of converging to help them out in getting that vehicle stopped as soon as possible.”
Dash cam video released by the Sheriff’s Office shows a deputy entering an on-ramp, as the wrong-way driver goes by.
After nine miles, they were able to stop him before anyone was seriously hurt.
"Do you realize that you're going the wrong way down the highway?" the officer asks the driver on the dash cam footage. "You're going southbound in the northbound lane? Do you realize how dangerous that is? How much have you had to drink tonight?"
Dietrich said that getting behind the wheel while drunk is a decision, not a mistake, and adds its dangerous not only for the driver, but everyone else.
“If you are out drunk driving, it is very selfish. You're not, it's not just about you. Even if you do get hurt, someone else is likely to get hurt,” Dietrich said. “Just get an easy ride home, use a ride-share, or just leave your vehicle there, find another way home. There. There are no excuses for drunk driving.”
The investigation was turned over to Michigan State Police, because it is the primary enforcement for highways.
Troopers arrested the 33-year-old Grand Rapids man for operating while intoxicated.