MSP: Hit-run driver who left ID behind arrested, intoxicated

A driver who allegedly f led on foot but left his wallet and ID in the car after a drunken driving crash on I- 696 early Nov. 26 morning is in the Oakland County Jail awaiting charges, Michigan State Police said.

In a series of Twitter posts, MSP detailed the crash which happened on the expressway near Dequindre Road in Madison Heights shortly before 6 a. m. and left one person with a broken leg. Witnesses told police the fleeing driver was a white male, wearing shorts. He was the lone occupant of his vehicle, police said.

Surrounding police agencies were provided the suspect’s name and description, and at around 8:30 a.m. a Hazel Park police officer spotted him walking on the I-75 service drive near 10 Mile Road. The suspect was identified and it was confirmed the wallet belonged to him, police said.

He was also highly intoxicated, police said.

At the MSP post, the suspect was interviewed, processed and reportedly registered twice the legal limit of alcohol for a driver.

Police said he thought a MSP helicopter was following him and that he was going to be caught, but the aircraft turned out to be from a local TV news station, filming the traffic backup caused by the crash.

The crash victim is in good condition, police said.