Therese Parolini

ST. IGNACE — A Michigan State Police motor carrier officer was in the right place at the right time earlier this week to safely stop a wrong-way driver on I-75 in Mackinac County. The driver was arrested for multiple offenses including operating under the influence of drugs.

“This could have been a tragic incident that was thankfully stopped,” said Lt. Ben Eckola, MSP Eighth District public information officer. “We thank our MCO who made this stop and all local law enforcement members who often put their own safety at risk in order to keep the public safe.”

Here’s what happened. At approximately 7:25 p.m. Wednesday, a BOL (be on the lookout) alert was issued to local law enforcement by Chippewa County Central Dispatch for a vehicle traveling southbound on I-75 in the northbound lanes. A state police MCO from the St. Ignace post was in the I-75 area and began looking for the wrong-way driver after hearing the BOL alert. As the MCO approached the Charles-Moran Road overpass, he observed headlights cresting the hill, traveling south in the northbound lanes. The MCO was able to identify that the vehicle was just ahead of him.

He did not observe any other traffic and he was able to position himself on I-75 and activate his emergency lights and his siren as the vehicle came closer. As the vehicle approached the MCO, it slowed but did not come to a complete stop until the MCO yelled at the driver to pull over. The driver gave a shrug and appeared confused but did stop.

A subsequent investigation resulted in the woman being arrested for operating under the influence of drugs and possession of analogues, as she was in possession of controlled substances (pills) that were not prescribed to her. The woman was lodged in the Mackinac County Jail.

On Thursday, 66-year-old Therese Parolini, from South Range, was arraigned in the 92nd District Court on charges of OUID and possession of analogues. She was given a personal recognizance bond. She is next due in court on Feb. 23. MSP was assisted by St. Ignace Police Department personnel.

Bud Sargent can be reached at 906-228-2500, extension 544. His email address is bsargent@miningjournal.net.