COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – Branch County prosecutors have formally charged Donald Preston, the former director of operations for the St. Joseph County Road Commission, following a drunk driving accident that occurred earlier this summer.
The 45-year-old Preston, faces charges of Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) and OWI with a High Blood Alcohol Content—commonly referred to as a “super drunk” charge under Michigan law.
The counts were officially filed last Friday, months after the initial incident.
According to the Michigan State Police, the crash occurred early on June 12 while Preston was driving a St. Joseph County Road Commission truck.
He was reportedly en route to assist with storm damage management in Sturgis when he slammed into the back of another vehicle. The collision totaled the county-owned truck and resulted in injuries to a responding firefighter.
Subsequent testing revealed that Preston was operating the vehicle with a .196 blood alcohol content (BAC), which is more than double the state’s legal driving limit of .08.
Following the completion of the investigation, the case was reviewed by Branch County Prosecutor Victor Fitz’s office due to conflict of interest with St. Joseph County Prosecutor Deborah Davis who is related to Preston.
Fitz said Preston will not be charged for OWI causing serious injury, punishable by up to five years in jail, because the firefighter, Dalton Loker with Burr Oak Fire Department, did not sustain injuries serious enough to meet the statutory requirements for this charge.
Fitz said his office received the case on Aug. 21, around the same time MSP finished their investigation.
Preston entered a not guilty plea and waived his right to a formal arraignment, according to court records.
OWI High Blood Alcohol Content carries first offense penalties up to 180 days in jail, up to a $700 fine, up to 360 hours of community service, up to one year license suspension, six points on your license and a mandatory alcohol treatment program. A driver with a blood alcohol content 0.17 or over is subject to this OWI charge.
Preston was suspended without pay the day of the crash on June 12, but before they finished their internal investigation, Preston resigned his position.
Police reports show the crash happened after 1:15 a.m. June 12 on US-12 near St. Joseph Road in Burr Oak Township.
Preston began work for the St Joseph County road commission in July 2006 as an engineering technician, eventually working his way to safety director in January 2008 and Director of Operations in September 2022.
His next court date is scheduled for Oct. 2, 2026, at 8:30 a.m.
Comments