Rickie J. Rose, 61, director of Hillsdale’s Board of Public Utilities, was arrested and charged with drunk driving after crashing into a tree Saturday, Jan. 24, at 7:45 p.m.
“It’s one of those stupid personal decisions, and it could have been a hell of a lot worse, frankly,” Rose told the Collegian. “I’m just thankful no one was hurt.”
According to the Hillsdale County Sheriff Incident Report, Rose’s vehicle hit a road sign advising there was an upcoming curve in the roadway before crashing into a tree on Bankers Road in Reading, Michigan.
Rose consented to taking a breathalyzer test, which registered his blood alcohol content as .23 — just shy of three times the legal limit of .08, according to the Michigan State Police website.
Because Rose had a BAC higher than .17, if convicted, he will be subject to higher fines, more jail time, and other weighter penalties than normal operating while intoxicated cases under Michigan’s “Super Drunk” law.
The incident marked Rose’s third time being arrested and charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated. His first was in July 2003, for which he was convicted, and the second in September 2005, which was lowered to a misdemeanor reckless driving charge. Thus, this was registered as a second offense, and Rose was released the same night after posting bail set at $2,500.
Acting City Manager Doug Terry said the city will review Rose’s position with BPU in the next few weeks, but the final determination of his employment rests heavily on “decisions Rose makes.”
“We have certain expectations of behavior on part of all public employees,” Terry said. “We will review acts of past and present and where he should go for help to ensure organization, integrity, and consistency for BPU so it continues to meet the needs of citizens.”
Although Rose is a city employee, Terry hopes to maintain a “balance of privacy yet transparency” regarding the case.
“My philosophy is govern by conscious,” Terry added. “We work within the realm of law yet apply good moral applications in the way we treat co-workers and fellow human beings.”
Rose said he appreciates the support he’s received from the city and Terry and is using the incident as an opportunity to “re-focus” himself.
Rose’s arraignment in the Hillsdale District Court was waived Wednesday, according to the Prosecuting Attorney’s office, and a pre-trial set for Feb. 18.
