Kalamazoo, MI: On Monday, July 30th, 2012, at 11:06 p.m., Kalamazoo Public Safety officers responded to a report of a vehicle that had crashed into a tree at the intersection of S. Burdick and Kilgore Rd. Upon arrival, Public Safety officers found that all four occupants of the crashed vehicle had fled the scene on foot. Officers began searching the area locating all the occupants a short distance away. Two passengers sustained injures from the crash, with one of the injuries being severe. Both passengers were transported to Bronson hospital and are listed in stable condition.

Through the course of the investigation, it was determined that the occupants had just left the Meijer on S. Westnedge after steeling three half gallon bottles of gin when the crash occurred. Alcohol and speed appear to be a factor in the crash. The driver, a 37 year-old Kalamazoo resident, was arrested and lodged at the Kalamazoo County Jail for operating while intoxicated causing serious injury, leaving the scene of an injury accident and driving on a suspended license pending review of the investigation by the prosecutor’s office. The Portage Police Department is currently investigating the theft of the liquor from Meijer.

Anyone who may have information regarding this investigation is asked to call Kalamazoo Public Safety at 337-8994 or Silent Observer at 343-2100 or www.kalamazoosilentobserver.com.

By authority of:  Lt. Matt Huber

Date:  July 30th, 2012

Address:  150 E. Crosstown Parkway, Kalamazoo, MI 49001

Contact:  Captain Julie Parsons, Criminal Investigations Division, 337-8139