COLDWATER, Mich. (WLKI)- A former St. Joseph County Road Commission employee is facing drunk driving charges following a June crash involving a county vehicle in Branch County.
According to Branch County court records, 45-year-old Donald Preston is charged with operating while intoxicated and operating while intoxicated with a high blood alcohol content, commonly known as a "super drunk" charge.
Michigan State Police were called to U.S. 12 near St. Joseph Road around 1:15 a.m. June 12. Investigators say Preston was driving a St. Joseph County Road Commission truck to assist with storm damage in Sturgis when he struck the back of another vehicle.
The other vehicle was driven by Dalton Loker, who was with the Burr Oak Fire Department. The Road Commission truck was totaled in the crash.
Court records show Preston's blood alcohol level was .196, more than twice Michigan's legal limit of .08. The case was reviewed by the Branch County Prosecutor's Office because the St. Joseph County prosecutor is related to Preston.