Erie, Michigan man lodged in jail after crash
by Richard Lamb–Advance Editor
(UPDATED AT NOON THURSDAY: As of this time, the name of the driver of the Ford SUV has not been released.)
An Erie, Michigan man is lodged in the Presque Isle County Jail Thursday after a crash near the Ferris Wheel at the Nautical City Festival. The 52 year-old man is lodged on suspicion of operating while under the influence and several counts of obstructing and resisting officers after an incident Wednesday (Aug. 3) around 8 p.m. Additional charges will be sought as officers continue the investigation.
(see previous story for more details)
According to a press release from Rogers City Police (RCPD) Chief Matt Quaine, the vehicle driven by the man crashed into a parked vehicle, pushing the parked vehicle into the active Ferris Wheel, jarring the Ferris Wheel several feet, as previously reported at PIAdvance.com.
“Prior to impact, witnesses and an officer of RCPD observed the black SUV traveling east on Erie Street at a high rate of speed disregarding stop signs. Speeds were estimated in excess of 80 mph in a 25 mph zone. The suspect was combative and uncooperative with officers,” Quaine said. “The crash scene is where the Nautical City Festival is currently going on and it is a miracle there were no injuries or fatalities as a result of the incident.”
With crowds in town for the festival, many witnessed the SUV race down Erie Street heading east.
“I was running west, right in front of the high school. Looked up just in time to see him blow through US-23. He went airborne and almost lost control. He regained control and appeared to me to be accelerating into town. There was an officer in the high school parking lot but he went by so fast that there was no chance of catching him. It was one of the most bizarre things I’ve ever seen,” said Ryan Felax.
From there witnesses saw the SUV blitz through the four-way stop at the corner of Third and Erie. Jennifer Adkins and hertwo daughters were getting out of their car, parked along Erie between Third and Second Streets when the SUV went by.
“I was helping my youngest daughter out of the car and watched the end of it. It was crazy. We were directly across from the library, parking. He was going like 90 down Erie, through the intersection and almost ran people over crossing the road by the bank clock, I saw a van swerve out of the way and I thought something was wrong with that vehicle until we heard screaming and a loud smash, that’s when I realized what had happened. (My daughter) watched him crash into the van, and she watched the Ferris Wheel teeter. She said ‘oh my God it’s gonna fall,'” Adkins said.
“We weren’t sure if he actually ran people over or not and it was terrifying, those are our friends down there. the cops stopped in front of us, asking which way did he go and we all pointed and told him he smashed into the Ferris
Elton Schalk is another of many witnesses to the event.
“I was driving down First Street about two houses from the intersection. I saw a streak shoot through the intersection and thought was that a car. I saw a lady running with her child and people running towards the crash. I couldn’t believe I just saw that. Very thankful no one was injured especially children,” Schalk said.
The RCPD was assisted by the Presque Isle County Sheriff’s Department, Rogers Area Fire Department, Rogers City Ambulance and Rogers Area First Responders.