GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan — The driver charged with hitting a Grand Rapids police cruiser head-on and injuring an officer has previously been convicted of driving while intoxicated.
Jack Allen Case, 39, was arraigned in 61st District Court on Thursday. Case is charged with operating while intoxicated causing serious injury after allegedly hitting Grand Rapids police officer Cory Borta head-on back on May 11.
Officer Borta was driving north on Eastern Avenue SE near Griggs Street SE when he was struck head-on by a southbound vehicle.
After the crash, another officer responded to the scene and discovered Case was seriously hurt.
While the officer was trying to speak with Case, the officer noticed there were two pint-sized bottles of Fireball Whiskey on the passenger side floorboard. Two other bottles of alcohol were also found in the glove compartment.
Witnesses told police on scene that Case driving recklessly, appeared intoxicated, and was driving on the wrong side of the road with no headlights.
Case was hospitalized and denied drinking. He was given a blood test which later showed he had a BAC of .237 which is nearly three times the legal limit in Michigan. Another lab is still pending for drug use.
Court documents show an analysis of Officer Borta's vehicle ruled out any negligent driving. He's been with the department for nearly three years since he was sworn in on July 9, 2020.
Officer Borta suffered a spinal fracture and will have to wear a neck brace for the next six weeks.
Police say this is Case's third Operating While Intoxicated offense:
- In 2006, Case was convicted of operating while impaired in Allegan County
- In 2011, Case was convicted of operating while intoxicated in Kalamazoo County
