Driver drunk, passengers possibly high, police say

5/30/2001

The driver of a pickup that crashed in West Toledo last week was intoxicated and his three passengers had a "suspected substance" in their bodies when the accident occurred, Toledo police traffic Sgt. Paul Kerschbaum said yesterday.

Scott Michalski, 21, of Erie, Mich., was driving under the influence, but the sergeant declined to release his blood-alcohol level determined during toxicology tests. The sergeant declined comment on the "suspected substance" found in Mr. Michalski's passengers, Andrea Caldwell, 17, and Karen Cousino, 16, both of Temperance, and John Briskey, 20, of Lambertville. Police found beer in the pickup's extended cab.

The crash occurred about 3:20 a.m. May 22 as Mr. Michalski was eastbound in the 300 block of Celesta Drive. He lost control of his pickup and it slammed into a tree.

Mr. Michalski and Miss Cousino were in serious condition last night in St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center. Miss Caldwell was in critical condition. Mr. Briskey was released from the hospital last week. He has declined comment about the accident.