By Allison Scarbrough. OCP Editor.
NEW ERA — A 21-year-old Shelby man was transported to Hackley Hospital in Muskegon for what appeared to be non-life-threatening injuries after the Toyota Scion he was driving crashed into a brick wall at the Meyers Chevrolet car dealership and then collided with four vehicles on the lot Monday night, Nov. 23, at approximately 11 p.m.
The man was the sole occupant of the Scion, which was northbound and left a long skid mark, blasting through a village holiday decoration and sculpture.
Lt. Craig Mast of the Oceana County Sheriff’s Office stated Tuesday morning, Nov. 24, that the man is being charged with drunk driving and driving while license suspended.
The man told people trying to help him immediately after the crash that there were four occupants in the vehicle, and one of them one was trapped, said dealership owner Scott Meyers, who was at the scene. The emergency was initially dispatched relaying that information.
Oceana County Sheriff’s Deputy Ryan Schiller said the man appeared to be “disoriented.”
Damage to the dealership, which is insured, is estimated at $100,000, Meyers said. At least two of the four Chevrolet
vehicles are totaled, he said. The Scion hit an Equinox, Malibu, Sonic and Silverado. “It changes your day a little,” Meyers said as he looked at the damage.
The Hart post of the Michigan State Police, Oceana County EMS and the Shelby-Benona Fire Department assisted at the scene.
OCP was told by police at the scene of the accident Monday night that the driver involved in the crash is a 17-year-old man. The Oceana County Sheriff’s Office informed OCP Tuesday that the suspect is a 21-year-old Shelby man.