Driver Charged In Accident That Injured City Worker

A 56-year-old Warren woman was arraigned Friday in her hospital bed for causing serious accident which injured a city worker.

Lisa Annetta Perdue-Barnette was charged with one count of operating under the influence of a narcotic, causing an serious injury, by 40th District Court Judge Joseph Oster. 

He set bond at $50,000, and if she is able to post bond, she must wear a tether.  

According to St. Clair Shores police officer Tom Price, Perdue-Barnette was driving southbound on Jefferson Wednesday when she tried to change lanes and sideswiped a stopped vehicle at 10 Mile.

She then continued through the intersection and struck city employee Sam Zettner, who had his back to the roadway and was working on the flood lights in the raised flower bed when he was struck. Zettner remains hospitalized in critical condition.

After striking Zettner, Perdue-Barnette then drove over the flower box and struck the side of Pegasus Taverna.

She was hospitalized for injuries sustained in the accident, Price said, but was expected to be released from the hospital Friday and taken to the Macomb County Jail.   

She has no criminal history, according to Price.

Perdue-Barnette will return to court Sept. 17 for a pre-exam conference.

City officials have organized a spaghetti dinner fundraiser for Zettner from 5 - 9 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 17, at Barrister Gardens. There is a $10 per person charge for the dinner.