Clinton Township

Clinton family injured by allegedly drunken driver

By Nico Rubello
C & G Staff Writer

Ostipow

CHESTERFIELD TOWNSHIP — A Clinton Township family of four is reportedly recovering from injuries sustained when an underage drunken driver hit their car.

The 47-year-old mother and her three children, aged 15, 14 and 2 years old, were immediately taken to the hospital with serious, but non-life threatening injuries, according to a statement from the Chesterfield Township Police Department.

Witnesses told police that the driver, who allegedly caused the accident, Brandon Stephen Ostipow, 19, of Shelby Township, was speeding and driving erratically in a 2002 Chevy Impala. He reportedly was heading east on 23 Mile, east of I-94, when he struck the Clinton Township family’s westbound Jeep Commander. The accident happened around 7 a.m. Feb. 24.

The family was trapped in the severely damaged vehicle before being freed by rescue personnel.

Ostipow’s blood-alcohol level was found to be 0.25 — or more than three times the legal limit — and he was driving on a suspended license, according to the statement. Ostipow, who also was hospitalized with injuries, was arrested on Feb. 28 as he was being released from McLaren Hospital.

He was arraigned at the 42-2 District Court in New Baltimore and, as of press time on March 1, was being held in Macomb County Jail on a $50,000 cash bond.

Ostipow is charged with multiple counts of operating while intoxicated, causing serious injuries; operating with a suspended license, causing serious injuries; and unlawful use of a motor vehicle. The first two are five-year felonies and the last is a two-year misdemeanor.

You can reach C & G Staff Writer Nico Rubello at nrubello@candgnews.com or at (586)279-1118.