GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- A Kent County Sheriff's Office sergeant who allegedly crashed his SUV while having a blood-alcohol content more than twice the legal limit earlier this month is facing charges.
Sgt. Peter Gerkin, 43, will be arraigned on charges of driving while intoxicated and having an open alcoholic beverage in his vehicle.
The crash happened at 3 a.m. Jan. 5 while Gerkin was driving his own vehicle in the area of Northland Drive and Rogue River Road in Plainfield Township. A blood sample was taken after the crash occurred. Gerkin's blood-alcohol level was not documented.
A BAC of .17 or higher is required to be considered “super drunk.”
Gerkin, a resident of Grand Rapids, was driving his Chevrolet Tahoe south on Northland Drive and lost control due to weather conditions. He slid into a ditch in front of 6237 Northland Drive NE and struck multiple trees. The Kent County Sheriff's Office investigated the crash and reported that speed was a factor.
Gerkin is currently on paid medical leave as a consequence of the crash.
Being charged with a high BAC results in a sentence of up to 180 days in jail while having an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle is up to 90 days in jail.
Gerkin is expected to be arraigned Jan. 28.
