By Phil Foley

Lapeer County Press

GOODLAND TWP. — An early morning crash on Aug. 14 left a 40-year-old Oxford woman and her 10-year-old daughter in critical condition at area hospitals.

Lapeer County Sheriff’s Dept. Undersheriff Jeremy Howe said deputies received a traffic BOL (be on lookout) from St. Clair County about 1:47 a.m. after an employee at a Capac gas station reported a suspected drunken woman had approached them asking for directions to Bad Axe.

The caller told police they gave the woman written directions and she left the business “very slowly” in a 2009 Pontiac G6 and headed west on I-69. Det./Sgt. Jason Parks said the woman was apparently headed to the Cheeseburger Festival in Caseville.

Howe said Deputy Dave Barrett spotted the car near I-69 and M-53. When Barrett turned on his vehicle’s lights and siren, the vehicle fled north on M-53 through Imlay City increasing speeds to 80 mph or faster.

The Pontiac was traveling at more than 80 mph, when Barrett broke off pursuit after about two miles due to speeds and there were children within the car.

A short time later Barrett observed the car in a ditch at the northwest corner of M-53 and Bowers Road. The woman and children were outside the vehicle.

Lapeer County EMS transported the woman, who appeared to have a compound fracture of her leg or ankle, to McLaren Lapeer Region, where Howe said she is currently listed in critical, but stable condition.

A 10-year-old child, who was riding in the vehicle’s front passenger seat, was taken to McLaren but later airlifted to Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, where she is listed in critical, but stable condition.

A 7-year-old daughter riding in the back seat was taken to McLaren, treated and released to their father.

Deputies said the car had improper registration plates and no insurance and the driver’s license had been suspended.

Deputies believe alcohol is a factor in the crash and toxicology results are pending. The crash remains under investigation. The case will be presented to the Lapeer County Prosecutor’s Office regarding formal criminal charges when toxicology results are available.

The Michigan Dept. of Health and Human Services (Children’s Protective Services) was contacted regarding the children.

Reprinted with permission from the Lapeer County Press.