Police: One Man Causes Four Accidents
ROCHESTER HILLS (WWJ) - The Oakland County Sheriff's office has arrested a suspect that it says was a one-man demolition derby, causing four separate accidents in Rochester Hills.
Police say the 26-year-old Harbor Beach resident lost control of his SUV while trying to pass another vehicle on Auburn Road Sunday night. He hit a street sign, then drove at a high rate of speed for about 1.5 miles, when he crossed the centerline and slammed into a minivan head-on being driven by a 16-year-old girl from Howell.
Police say the suspect continued driving for about a mile, despite having a disabled the left front tire, until the crossed the centerline yet again and struck a vehicle driven by a 27-year-old Madison Heights resident.
He then rear ended another westbound vehicle, driven by 38-year-old Alexander Ramirez and his wife, that was trying to get out of his way. This final impact caused the Ramirez vehicle to overturn several times to its final rest off the shoulder of the road. The suspect's SUV slid to its final rest and caught fire. The suspect then exited his vehicle and fled on foot. Witnesses followed the suspect and detained him until deputies arrived.
All victims were transported to the hospital to be treated for their injuries and released, except for Ramirez's wife, who remains in stable condition at Royal Oak Beaumont Hospital.
The suspect was arrested and is being held in Oakland County Jail. Police believe alcohol may have been a factor in the crashes. An investigation is ongoing.
