Collision with village police cruiser occurred prior to resignation
By Mary Drier
Staff Writer
UNIONVILLE — Now that the person involved in the Dec. 6, 2014, accident that wrecked the Unionville Village police cruiser has been arraigned, the name can be released.
Dean Hartman, 46, of Unionville, is charged with “driving while intoxicated.” Hartman, who has since resigned, was the village president at the time of the accident.
Driving while intoxicated is a misdemeanor charge. If found guilty, the sentences could be 93 days in jail and/or $100 – $500 fine, and/or community service, restitution, and participation in a rehabilitation program.
Hartman is scheduled for pre-trail 1 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 20, in district court.
The accident happened about 1:39 a.m. on Center Street (M-24) near Phelps Street in the village. M-24 is a four-lane highway coming into the village from the South before it changes into M-25, which is a two-lane highway going north.
Village Police Officer Anthony Jobes was driving the village’s only police cruiser south on M-24 in the far west-side lane while Hartman was driving a pick-up truck south in the other lane and then entered into the other lane striking the police car while trying to turn into a driveway.
Hartman, who was driving a pick-up truck didn’t see the police car beside him. He was traveling the outside land and crossed into the other lane to turn into a drive way.
According to the police report, Jobes was just in the process of starting to pursue (another) vehicle ahead of him that was speeding, but didn’t have his vehicle’s flashing lights on when the accident occurred down by the Lutheran Church.
Because it was a village police officer who was involved in the accident, the Michigan State Police responded to handle the accident. Having another department do an investigation of an incident involving a law enforcement agency is standard procedure.
The accident report indicates Hartman allegedly had a blood alcohol level of .13. The state’s legal limit for being intoxicated is .08.
Hartman’s letter of resignation as president was read during the Dec. 15, 2014, village meeting.
“I have put much thought and prayers into my decision to leaving the office of the council to pursue other interests,” said Hartman’s letter. “I have talked it over with friends and family and have come to the conclusion that I will be leaving the village president office effective Dec. 12.”
Hartman was appointed as president on March 6, 2009, and was elected to the position in Nov. 2012.
“I feel the council is in great shape with the elected members and I have great confidence in each of you. It has been a pleasure to serve the people of Unionville and to serve it with each of you on the council,” said Hartman. “I will be pursuing my other love to serve at St. Paul Lutheran Church and School as well as other opportunities I have.
“It has been a great honor to be a part of this experience. I wish you all the best and I am confident you will serve us well.”
The council accepted his resignation “with regret.”
Mary Drier is a staff writer for the Tuscola County Advertiser. She can be reached at drier@tcadvertiser.com.