By BOB OLIVER
Times-Herald Newspapers
DEARBORN — The Dearborn police officer who was arrested in April and charged with driving under the influence and fleeing the scene of an accident will face increased charges when he next appears in court.
At a pretrial examination on May 23 before 19th District Court Judge Sam Salamey, Eric Krawczyk had the operating under the influence increased to operating with a high blood alcohol content. He still faces the fleeing the scene of an accident charge and the additional charge of driving without auto insurance was added against him as well.
Krawczyk is scheduled to appear in front of Salamey for another pretrial hearing at 1 p.m. June 13.
The charges stem from incidents that occurred on April 20 about 12:30 a.m., when, according to published reports, police responded to calls that a black Ford Taurus had struck a tree near the area of Carlysle and Northhampton Court and had continued driving north on Audette after the collision.
A witness told police that he observed the car striking a tree at the intersection of Carlysle and Culver. The vehicle then pulled back onto the road and drove onto Audette heading north. The witness followed the Taurus and observed it striking another vehicle near Village Road.
After this, the witness said the Taurus turned onto Donaldson, where it struck another vehicle before stopping.
When police arrived the vehicle was not moving, but the driver was still inside. They observed heavy damage to the front passenger side of the Taurus and noted that the car’s air bags were deployed.
Krawczyk handed the officers his police identification and exited his car when asked. Officers observed that he was having difficulty standing and his eyes were glassy.
Reports also stated that Krawczyk was given a preliminary breath test at the scene, which he failed. He was placed under arrest and transported to Oakwood Hospital and Medical Center.
Krawczyk is currently suspended from the DPD and is free on a $200 personal bond with a travel restriction to the tri-county area.
(Bob Oliver can be reached at [email protected].)