what happened rumor or truth?

[Jane]

Was it the Scottville city (mayor ) who went behind the old Stokely's plant and went off the trail/driveway into the bottom of the ravine on the south side of the packaging plant. Rumor has it that (he?) was (drunk ?)at 9am Thursday(?) morning.

I  would like clarification as to who and what happened.

EDIT: So he went off the end of 2nd street heading east from Scottville rd/S. Main??

I was under the impression he was on the other side behind the old Stokely's plant and went off the access driveway back there heading west(toward Scottville) from Bean street. At least that looks like where the vehicle was pulled up from according to the tracks we saw when we took a afternoon ride out that way. Now I will need to go out there again and check the tracks off 2nd street as I am unsure of  which direction.

[XLFD]

We discussed that a little bit over on this thread:  http://ludingtoncitizen.ning.com/forum/topics/clare-sets-up-detour-...

The COLDNews version of events courtesy of an interview with Baxter presented yesterday said:  "I'm sore, but other than that I'm fine." 

He said he was transported to the hospital and released after some tests and x-rays and that he will probably be sore for a couple of days.  He has no broken bones, but said he took the airbag of the truck to his chest.

"It was raining hard and I had two deer come out in front of me."  He said he hit the brake and "shot to the end of the street", ending up in the ravine.

 

Hmm, I'm not an expert on cars, but hitting the brakes usually doesn't accelerate you.  And even though I can believe there might have been deer out on the road at 9:00 AM  on a rainy day, the witness who saw the incident didn't seem to include that in their report, nor did the mayor appear to veer away from the 'deer' he may have seen.

I think it is more likely he was seeing pink elephants, and that's a rumor that is out there. 

[XLFD]

Here's some clarification courtesy of the assisting Scottville Police Department:

Not a whole lot of meat, but it does show that he used the 'swerved to avoid a deer' excuse even then, but nothing is noted about the heavy rains or the brakes.  Absent also is any mention of any field sobriety tests performed before the arrival of the MSP, who may not have been immediately rousted.  We will double check their data, once it arrives. 

[Willy]

I'll give the guy the benefit of the doubt. If he said deer caused him to veer out of control then that's what I will go with until more information comes out. X, do you happen to know when a breath test is mandatory. It seems to me that a single car accident should raise flags as to the drivers condition and would be a very good reason to perform a breath test

[AQUAMAN]

I don't know Baxter, nor have I ever met him, but, from the sounds of the report on the accident, it surely does sound strange and quite unreal that this accident happened by the accounts of the Mayor, and that the "deer are at fault". High speed was reported by witnesses, you don't speed up for deer, you brake with caution and stop.  And additionally, Chief Barnett's actions to simply dump this in the lap of the MSP right away, so far away. Doesn't take much intelligence nor imagination to believe this is another "good old boy coverup". I doubt he was ever breathalized by MSP/MCSO due to his position. But, if info to the contrary is finally uncovered, I will respectfully retract these opinions and give him the benefit of the "doubt".

[Jane]

report says he went to MMC, from what I understand when in an accident and taken to hospital it is required for a blood test to be performed for intoxicants.

[Jane]

maybe he panicked when he saw the deer and hit the gas instead of brake, or was texting/phoning or reaching for something and foot went to accelerator instead of brake.

[Lisa O'Brien]

It looks like he had been drinking.

http://www.masoncountypress.com/2012/11/29/mayors-alcohol-level-was...

[Willy]

He's lucky he didn't kill himself or someone else. I've got to commend Mason County Press for airing this information. I wonder of the LDN will print this information.

[XLFD]

What really ticks me off is that both me and Rob Alway both sent out FOIA requests on the day of the accident on October 18, and 41 days later he finally gets this information from the Michigan State Police after paying nearly $20 for it.  I was charged more for my request for the same information, and still haven't got it, though instead of paying, I went the appeal route. 

The process the MSP uses for their FOIAs needs to be changed, and I am planning on changing it-- for the better. 

How could any journalist not print this information?  Oh yeah, I forget the City of Ludington Daily News' philosophy on news:  "All the news that fits the mold to print."