Woman arrested, charged after almost running over pedestrians in Troy parking lot while drunk

TROY, Mich. – Police arrested and charged a local woman who almost ran over pedestrians while driving drunk in a Troy parking lot on Big Beaver Road. 

The incident happened around 9:30 p.m. on  Monday. Witnesses said they saw a person driving a black 2008 Ford Escape irresponsibly.  The driver, Julie Ann Vitale, recklessly drove through a red traffic signal and the parking lot, nearly striking several pedestrians who were walking nearby, witnesses said. 

Vitale eventually parked the vehicle and got out. A witness took the driver's keys from her and contacted police.  Officers could smell alcohol as Vitale spoke.  

The 48-year-old Rochester Hills resident admitted to consuming one drink that contained alcohol.  She was asked to perform several sobriety evaluations and performed poorly, police said.  

A breath test was conducted with a result of .23 percent alcohol level. Vitale was arrested and charged with operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol.