Suspect to be named in 10-count warrant

by Richard Lamb—Advance Editor

The suspect in Wednesday’s high-speed trek down Erie Street in Rogers City, which ended in a crash at the Nautical City Festival carnival area, is named in a 10-count warrant, but has not yet been arraigned. Until then, the Advance will not publish his name.

The 10-count warrant against the 52-year-old man from Erie, Michigan includes assault with the intent to do great bodily harm less than murder, two counts of property damage for damages done to the Ferris wheel and the van struck by his SUV, five counts of resisting and obstructing an officer, one count of operating a vehicle while intoxicated and one count of reckless driving.

Rogers City Police Chief Matt Quaine said at this point in the investigation, there was no indication the driver targeted Rogers City, had any idea of festival activities happening, or that he had ever visited Rogers City before. But he made it clear the investigation is continuing as the community looks for answers to this bizarre incident. With the Nautical City Festival’s kiddie parade that evening, ride specials at the carnival and teen night in the big tent, more people were buzzing around downtown Rogers City than on a normal Wednesday evening. That no one was hit by the SUV, is certainly miraculous.

Quaine made it clear that the crash did not come after a police pursuit of the SUV. According to the police, there was no indication the vehicle braked before running into the van.

Here is what happened that night: According to multiple witnesses, a black 2014

Ford Escape,  sped toward Rogers City on M-68, running through stop signs at the intersections of M-68 and US-23, Third and Erie, and then Erie and First Street. Its journey ended when it crashed into a 2004 Kia Sadona parked owned by Richard Miles which was parked next to the Ferris wheel in the festival carnival area. The impact sent the van into the Ferris wheel operated by Schmidt Amusements. It is estimated the SUV traveled at a speed in excess of 80 mph in a 25 mph zone.

Miraculously, no injuries were reported and the speeding SUV did not strike anything until it impacted the parked, unoccupied van.

More details will be in the next edition of the Presque Isle County Advance. To subscribe, call us Monday-Thursday from 9-5 at (989) 734-2105. Open Fridays from 9-1.