Police: Sumpter Township officer's body cam captures 'super drunk' mom with child in car

SUMPTER TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Police say dashcam video shows a 44-year-old woman not stopping for a Sumpter Township officer who was trying to pull her over for speeding about 6:45 p.m. Friday.

The woman finally stopped at her home in Van Buren Township. Not only was the officer's vehicle dashcam rolling, but so was his body camera. It offers a unique view of what was unfolding.

Police suspected the woman was very drunk. Her 1-year-old daughter was in the vehicle with her. The child's father came out to get the girl.

With the child safe, the officer's body camera shows the case of beer in the front seat of the car. The video also picked up all the excuses the woman was making.

She failed the field sobriety test and, according to police, she blew a blood alcohol content of more than three times the legal limit of .08, making her eligible to be charged under Michigan's "super drunk" law.

Sumpter Township police started wearing the body cameras in the fall of 2013.

"Our officers believe in the cameras. They have since day one. They know it's there to protect them and the citizen," said Capt. Eric Luke.

Charges are pending.


About the Author:

Local 4 Defender Shawn Ley is an Emmy award-winning journalist who has been with Local 4 News for more than a decade.