TC Woman Arrested After Crashing Into Multiple Vehicles, Fleeing Deputies

A 46-year-old Traverse City woman is facing several charges after colliding with multiple vehicles, fleeing deputies, and crashing into a ditch off M-72 Tuesday. Several witnesses tried to get the driver, who is accused of drunk driving, to stop during the incident.

According to the Grand Traverse Sheriff's Office, Central Dispatch received multiple calls Tuesday at 3pm about a black SUV driving all over the roadway. One caller was following the vehicle, which collided with a traffic sign on US-31 near Five Mile Road, causing the sign to smash the car's windshield. The suspect turned from US-31 onto M-72 and eventually pulled into Turtle Creek Market.

There, citizens tried to get the woman to stop her vehicle. The SUV collided with at least two citizen vehicles in the parking lot and struck a post protecting the gas station pumps. A deputy arrived on the scene and also tried to get the woman to stop, using his push bumper to try and slow her vehicle. The woman drove over the curb and exited the market, crossing over all lanes of travel on M-72 and crashing into a ditch. 

Deputies were then able to get the woman out of her vehicle. They could "smell the strong odor of intoxicants," according to the Sheriff's Office. A drunk driving investigation was started on the scene, with deputies also taking statements from witnesses. The woman was arrested on charges including operating while intoxicated second offense, resisting and obstructing, fleeing and eluding, leaving the scene of a crash, suspended driving, and having open intoxicants. 

No one was injured in the incident.