ESCANABA - A Gladstone man was arrested for drunken driving after his vehicle crossed the centerline and collided with oncoming traffic in Wells Township on Monday, according to police and court officials.
Samuel Johnson, 37, was driving a 2007 Toyota east on U.S. 2 & 41, near I.75 Lane, when he crossed into the opposite lane on the Ford River Bridge in Hyde, according to Michigan State Police from the Gladstone Post.
A westbound 2007 Chevy Impala, driven by Robert Urbanc, 43, of Wilson, attempted to avoid colliding with Johnson's car; when Urbanc swung back into the lane as he corrected his vehicle, the two cars crashed, said troopers. The accident occurred at 6:25 p.m.
Johnson and Urbanc were not injured in the collision. Neither vehicle had passengers.
Johnson was arrested by Escanaba Public Safety for operating a motor vehicle with a high blood alcohol content, said troopers. He was arraigned on the charge in Delta County District Court on Tuesday. He remained lodged in the county jail this morning.
Troopers were assisted at the accident scene by Escanaba Public Safety and Delta County Sheriff Department.
While enroute to assist at the scene, a sheriff's deputy was involved in a separate accident, according to troopers.
Deputy Dan LaCarte was westbound on US 2 & 41 with red lights flashing and siren sounding when he tried to pass a westbound 2005 Chevy Impala in front of him. As the deputy attempted to go around the car, the driver turned left onto a driveway and the two vehicles collided at 6:52 p.m., said troopers.
LaCarte, the other driver John Merki, 77, of Escanaba, and his wife, Mary Merki, 81, were transported by ambulance to OSF St. Francis Hospital. All three were treated and released. Investigation continues into the accident.
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Jenny Lancour, (906) 786-2021, ext. 143, jlancour@dailypress.net