UPDATE: Following medical clearance and release from McLaren Northern Michigan Hospital in Petoskey, 46-year-old Aaron Peterson of McBain was lodged in the Chippewa County Jail. On July 17, 2026, he was arraigned in the 91st District Court on one count of Operating While Intoxicated Causing Death and one count of Operating While License Suspended Causing Death.
Bond was set at $250,000 cash with a tether and other standard conditions. He is next scheduled to appear in court on July 27, 2026. The defendant is considered innocent unless proven guilty.
—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
From the Michigan State Police:
A subject is in custody following a fatal two-vehicle crash in Bay Mills Township.
On July 13, 2026, at approximately 10:48 a.m., a trooper from the Michigan State Police (MSP) Sault Ste. Marie Post responded to a report of a two-vehicle head-on crash on W. Lakeshore Drive near W. Lake Street in Bay Mills Township.
The preliminary investigation indicates a Chevrolet Trailblazer was traveling westbound on W. Lakeshore Drive when it crossed the centerline and crashed head-on with an eastbound Ford Fiesta.
The driver of the Ford Fiesta, a 62-year-old woman from Lake, Michigan, was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the Chevrolet Trailblazer, a 46-year-old man from McBain, Michigan, displayed signs of intoxication during the on-scene investigation. He was arrested for Operating While Intoxicated Causing Death and Operating While License Suspended.
Due to the injuries sustained in the crash, the suspect was transported to MyMichigan Medical Center Sault and later transferred to McLaren Northern Michigan Hospital in Petoskey for further treatment. He remains in custody of MSP and will be lodged in the Chippewa County Jail upon medical clearance. His name is being withheld pending arraignment.
The suspect is considered innocent unless proven guilty, and the investigation remains ongoing.
MSP was assisted by Bay Mills Police Department, Bay Mills EMS, Chippewa County Sheriff’s Office, Clare County Sheriff’s Office, and Merles Towing.
