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GLADSTONE -- A Wednesday press release from the Michigan State Police indicated that a suspect has been arraigned after an Oct. 23 crash which seriously injured two people, in which the driver fled the scene.
"A man and woman were seriously injured after an intoxicated driver left the roadway and struck them while they were in their own yard," said the MSP release. "The driver fled the scene but was located and arrested a short time later."
At approximately 9:39 p.m. on Oct. 23, troopers from the Michigan State Police Gladstone post responded to a reported crash in the area of US-2/41 near I.75 Lane, in which two people were seriously injured, and the driver fled the scene.
"The preliminary crash investigation indicates that the driver left the roadway, crossed a driveway, and struck a man and woman, pinning them against their parked car, which was approximately 20 to 25 yards from the edge of the highway," said the release. "The driver then continued through the yard and back onto the highway."
A Delta County Sheriff’s Office deputy located the driver approximately two miles from the crash scene. The driver displayed signs of intoxication, and further investigation was conducted.
Following the investigation, 69-year-old Matthew Smith from Escanaba, was arrested and lodged in the Delta County Jail on multiple charges.
The man and woman who were struck suffered serious injuries. Both were transported to a hospital for treatment.
On Wednesday, Smith was formally charged and waived arraignment in the 94th District Court on charges of operating while intoxicated causing serious injury, failing to stop at scene resulting in serious impairment/death, failure to stop at scene of a personal injury accident and failure to stop after collision.
Bond was set at $25,000 cash/surety, and Smith is next due in court on Nov. 12. He is considered innocent unless proven guilty.
MSP was assisted by the Delta County Sheriff's Office, Rampart EMS, the Menominee County Sheriff's Office and the Hannahville Police Department.