Driver who caused 4-car crash while allegedly intoxicated, identified.

Kitchens

Driver who caused 4-car crash while allegedly intoxicated, identified.

#MasonCountyNews #MasonCountyCrime.

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief. 

LUDINGTON — The Mason County Sheriff’s Office has identified the man who caused a four-vehicle crash on US 10 at the Meyers Road intersection about 4:20 p.m. Saturday afternoon, causing minor injuries to five people, including children. Clayton Alan Kitchen, 24, was arrested and charged with operating a vehicle under the influence, high blood alcohol content (BAC) following the crash.

According to Sheriff Kim Cole, Kitchen was driving a 2005 Toyota Tundra pickup truck eastbound on US 10 and failed to stop at a red light at the Meyers Road intersection. Deputy Jeremy King, the investigating officer, told MCP that Kitchen’s vehicle rear-ended a 2006 Honda CRV SUV driven by a female driver (age not available). His truck then hit a 2007 Buick SUV driven by a 19-year-old Victory Township woman. That crash caused the Buick to rear-end a 2006 Dodge Caravan which was occupied by a Scottville family of four, including parents and two children.

A total of five people sustained minor injuries. None were transported by ambulance but all sought medical treatment at Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital, King said.
Operating a vehicle under the influence, high blood alcohol content (commonly referred to as “super drunk”) is charged when the person’s BAC is .17 grams or more; the legal BAC is lower than .08 grams.

The misdemeanor carries a penalty up to 180 days in jail; a fine of at least $200 but not more than $700; up to 360 hours of community service; one year driver’s license suspension (the Secretary of State may issue a restricted license 45 days after the suspension starts if the person is otherwise eligible), proof of installation of an ignition interlock device is required before a restricted license is issued; a restricted license permits the individual to drive to and from a residence and employment, to and from alcohol and drug education or treatment program; to and from regularly scheduled treatment for serious medical condition; to and from probation, community service, and school.

Kitchen has not yet been formally arraigned (79th District Court arraignments for drunk driving offenses typically take place on Tuesdays), but has been released from the Mason County Jail on 10% of $2,500 bail.

The eastbound lane of US 10 was closed for over an hour during the active crash scene. Responding units included Mason County Sheriff’s Office, Pere Marquette Township Fire Department and Life EMS ambulance.