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Two Crashes Spark Underage Drinking Investigation

Posted at 8:18 AM, Jun 18, 2014
and last updated 2014-06-18 08:18:48-04

generic car crash picPORTAGE, Mich. (June 18, 2014) — Three people have been injured and several teenagers have been cited for minors in possession of alcohol following two separate crashes in Portage.

On June 18, around 1:01 a.m., Public Safety Officers responded to Marlow Street for a report that a red 2004 Saturn crashed into a utility pole. Officers found two broken poles, and wires were down in the road. The driver and two passengers left the scene, but one passenger, a 23-year-old woman from Kalamazoo, stayed and was taken to an area hospital for minor injuries.

The driver, a 26-year-old man from Portage, was found a few blocks away with a broken leg. He was also taken to the hospital and officers are investigating alcohol involvement in the accident and leaving the scene fo an injury accident. The two other passengers were also found after they called someone to pick them up, and a 17-year-old from Portage was cited for minor in possession of alcohol.

Later, around 4:36 a.m., officers responded to a rollover crash at Angling Road and Vanderbilt Avenue. Police say two people left the silver Subaru Hatchback, but one was found a short time later. A 17-year-old from Portage had minor injuries and said he was the passenger. A tracking dog from Kalamazoo Public Safety tried to find the second person without luck.

Police say both of the vehicles came from the same address on West Center Street in Portage, and a 17-year old girl from Schoolcraft and a 17-year-old boy from Portage were both cited for minors in possession of alcohol at the address. Police say the resident was not home at the time, and officers continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the underage drinking at the home.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Portage Department of Public Safety at 329-4567 or Silent Observer at 343-2100 or www.kalamazoosilentobserver.com.