MACKINAC COUNTY, Mich. (WZMQ) – A Michigan State Police (MSP) motor carrier officer (MCO) says he was in the right place at the right time to safely stop a dangerous wrong-way driver on I-75 in Mackinac County.
On February 11, Chippewa County Central Dispatch alerted local law enforcement ot be on the lookout for a vehicle traveling southbound on I-75 in the northbound lanes. A St. Ignace Post MCO began looking for the wrong-way driver. As the MCO approached the Charles-Moran Road overpass, he saw headlights cresting the hill, traveling south in the northbound lanes. The MCO was able to identify that the vehicle was just ahead of him.
The MCO was able to position himself on I-75 and activate his emergency lights and siren as the vehicle came closer. The vehicle slowed down as it approached, but it did not come to a complete stop until the MCO yelled at the driver to pull over. The driver shrugged and appeared confused, but she did stop.
A subsequent investigation resulted in the woman being arrested for operating under the influence of drugs and possession of analogues, as she had pills that were not prescribed to her. The woman, identified as 66-year-old Therese Parolini of South Range, was lodged in the Mackinac County Jail.
On February 12, Parolini was arraigned in the 92nd District Court and given a personal recognizance bond. She is next due in court on February 23.
“This could have been a tragic incident that was thankfully stopped,” said Lt. Ben Eckola, MSP Eighth District Public Information Officer. “We thank our MCO who made this stop, and all local law enforcement members, who often put their own safety at risk in order to keep the public safe.”
MSP was assisted by the St. Ignace Police Department.
