On July 1, 22-year-old Carlos A. Lopez was charged with one count each of larceny in a building, unlawfully driving away a motor vehicle, and driving on a suspended or revoked license. Lopez allegedly stole a vehicle from a friend, then crashed it into a light pole before running away from the scene of the crash. He was also charged with failure to report an accident to fixtures.
The alleged crimes occurred on the evening of May 14, when Bay County Sheriffs deputies responded to reports of a hit-and-run in Bangor Township at 503 N. Euclid Ave. Court records indicate that when officers arrived, they witnessed a blue 2000 Saturn sedan that had collided with a light pole. Upon their arrival there was no one in the car, however deputies were told by a witness that she saw a young man run away on foot after the car crashed into the light pole.
Deputies learned that the vehicle belonged to a friend of Lopez, Kayla Swiecicki. According to Swiecicki, who had a few friends over at another friend’s home where she was staying, located in the 4500 block of Woodbridge Ave. Swiecicki told deputies that she went to the bathroom and discovered after she returned that Lopez and two other individuals had left the residence, and that after looking through her purse she discovered her car keys were missing.
Investigators spoke with Lopez over the telephone a few days later, when he denied any knowledge of the accident or having taken his friend’s car. A warrant was issued for his arrest on June 10, and following Lopez’s June 26 arraignment in Bay County District Court he posted 10% of a $10,000 bond. Lopez is scheduled to go before Bay County District Judge Mark E. Janer for a preliminary examination on July 10.
Michigan drivers license reinstatement lawyers understand that while the other charges Lopez faces may result in serious criminal penalties, driving on a suspended or revoked license is a serious offense in itself. Individuals who are caught driving on a suspended license typically face having their license suspended for twice the original suspension period, and may also face fines and jail time.
Driving is a necessary part of life, something most of us never give much thought to until we lose the privilege. If you have been charged with driving on a suspended or revoked license, consult with a talented and capable Michigan driver’s license restoration attorney with extensive experience dealing with the DAAD (Driver Assessment and Appeal Division) of the Michigan Secretary of State.