Hesperia couple delivering newspapers rear-ended by suspected drunk driver.

January 3, 2018

Hesperia couple delivering newspapers rear-ended by suspected drunk driver.

#OceanaCountyNews

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — A 53-year-old New Era man driving a pickup truck rear-ended a Hesperia couple in an SUV while they were delivering newspapers on Oceana Drive near Water Road Saturday evening, Dec. 30.

The New Era man is suspected of drunk driving, and his blood test results are pending, according to an Oceana County Sheriff’s Office accident report. The report states that he “does not remember anything about the accident.”

The New Era man was transported by Oceana County EMS to Mercy Health Partners Lakeshore Campus in Shelby. The passenger in the SUV, 55-year-old Martin Wayne Lennox, was also transported by Oceana EMS to the Shelby hospital. The driver of the SUV, 53-year-old Jeaniece Arlene Striker, was not injured, according the report.

The 5:40 p.m. crash occurred approximately a half mile south of Water Road, the report states. The New Era man (who is not named because criminal charges are pending and he has not been arraigned) was driving a blue 1998 Chevrolet Silverado. Striker was driving a blue 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer.

“Both Striker and (the alleged drunk driver) had been traveling north on Oceana Drive,” the report states. “Striker stated she and her passenger Lennox were delivering newspapers. Striker stated she was stopped on the roadway waiting for oncoming traffic to clear to make a left turn to a private residence. Striker stated she had her turn signal on, and the amber caution light on the roof of her vehicle was on. (The alleged drunk driver) had been traveling northbound behind Striker. (The alleged drunk driver) struck the back of Striker’s vehicle. (He) stated he had left his residence in New Era but does not remember anything about the accident.”

The New Era man was wearing his seat belt, but the Hesperia couple were not wearing their seat belts, according to the report.

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