ESCANABA - A Wilson woman - who fled from police while driving drunk, then crashed into a semi truck last fall - was sentenced to 10 months in jail in Delta County Circuit Court Thursday.
Christine Ann Metzger, 49, pleaded guilty last month to operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, second offense, and pleaded guilty to fleeing and eluding police, resulting in an accident. She was sentenced to 10 months in jail on each count to be served concurrently.
On Sept. 18, 2011, Metzger fled from Hannahville Tribal Police who were attempting to pull over the suspected drunk driver. During the chase, Metzger's car collided with an oncoming semi truck on U.S. 2 & 41, west of Escanaba. Both vehicles exploded upon impact. Officers extricated Metzger from her burning vehicle and dragged her to safety prior to the car exploding again.
Metzger was transported by ambulance to OSF St. Francis Hospital. The semi driver escaped uninjured from the burning truck. An officer suffered smoke inhalation and was later treated and released from the hospital.
Prior to Thursday's sentencing, Judge Stephen Davis reviewed the chain of events that happened during the early morning hours, saying Metzger was driving drunk at a high speed when she caused a head-on collision with a semi. She was trapped in her burning car, then heroically rescued prior to the vehicle exploding a second time, he said.
"If you have not learned from this experience... to turn your life in a different direction... your sentence will reinforce your brush with eternal life," said Davis prior to ordering her to 10 months jail and 18 months probation.
During probation, Metzger has to be in her home from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. She must not gamble, drink alcohol, or take drugs not prescribed to her. Her driver's license will be suspended for one year. She was ordered to pay $798 in fines and costs. She was given credit for two days already served in jail.
In her statement to the court, Metzger expressed concerns about having to serve time in jail with her medical problems. Davis said there is a nurse at the jail and inmates are allowed to see their physicians for medical appointments.