Five local youths escape rollover accident with their lives
By Greg Buckner
Staff Writer | reporter@ogemawherald.com
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WEST BRANCH — Five local minors escaped a single-vehicle rollover accident on Dow Road Sept. 22 with their lives intact.
According to a report from the Ogemaw County Sheriff’s Office, a 16-year-old male from Rose City was driving southbound on Dow Road near St. Helen Trail around 2 a.m. with four passengers in his car, a 14-year-old female from Prescott, a 15-year-old male from Rose City, a 16-year-old male from Rose City and a 17-year-old female from West Branch, when the driver of the vehicle allegedly lost control of his car, hitting an embankment and flipping the car.
According to the report, deputies arrived and could see skid marks on the road leading up to the scene. Upon arrival, the deputies reportedly made contact with the three males and the 17-year-old female, who told the officers the 14-year old female couldn’t be located.
Deputies reportedly searched the accident scene and found the female subject lying between two trees, 50 feet from the wrecked vehicle, bleeding from the right side of her face.
Through questioning at the scene, the driver of the vehicle allegedly denied that he had consumed any alcohol, but later admitted he had consumed a beer an hour prior to the accident.
The driver reportedly submitted to a preliminary breath test, which showed that he had a 0.01-percent blood alcohol level.
In Michigan, there is a "zero tolerance" law, stating anyone under the age of 21 cannot drive a vehicle with "any bodily alcohol content."
All parties involved were transferred from the scene to West Branch Regional Medical Center by Ogemaw County EMS. The driver, the 16-year-old male and the 17-year-old female all were treated for minor injuries, but the 15-year-old male reportedly suffered a broken arm and the 14-year-old female was transferred to Hurley Medical Center in Flint with a nine-inch abrasion on her face and possible brain injury.
On Sept. 24, it was reported the 14-year old female was in good condition and was conscious and talking, but was still having issues with her memory.
According to the report, the incident is being classified as an operating under the influence/causing serious injury case. The investigation is ongoing.
Check www.ogemawherald.com for more updates as they become available.