Intoxicated Man Assaults Police Officer at Chelsea Hospital

On Oct. 4, while on routine patrol, officers with the Chelsea Police Department observed a vehicle stopped in the middle of the road near the 500 block of North Main Street. According to police reports, officers made visual contact with the driver, who indicated he was OK, but continued to stop in the roadway.

Officers suspected the driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs and followed the vehicle, noting that it had a loud exhaust and the driver make a wide left turn. Officers stopped the vehicle and made contact with the driver, a 47-year-old Chelsea man. Officers determined that the driver currently had a suspended Michigan driver’s license and was suspected of being under the influence of alcohol.

After performing a field sobriety test, the suspect was placed under arrest. The suspect was deemed unfit for lodging at the Washtenaw County Jail due to his high blood alcohol level and was transported to the Chelsea Community Hospital for medical treatment. At 12:15 a.m. officers were notified that the hospital needed police assistance. Officers responded, and while attempting to calm the subject so that he could be medically treated, an altercation ensued and an officer was assaulted by the suspect.

After review by medical personnel, the suspect was released from the hospital and was transported to the Washtenaw County Jail. The case involving the assault on a police officer remains open pending review by the Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s Office.