Man who fled from police after crash sent to jail.

Jerry Weathers with his attorney, Al Swanson, Jr.

Man who fled from police after crash sent to jail.

#MasonCountyCrime

By Allison Scarbrough, Editor.

LUDINGTON – A 37-year-old homeless man who fled from police after crashing his vehicle last April was sentenced in 51st Circuit Court Tuesday, Aug. 6, to serve one year in jail.

Jerry Edson Weathers pleaded guilty, June 25, to attempted larceny from a person, failure to report an accident and third-offense habitual offender.

Weathers crashed his vehicle on Free Soil Road west of US 31 in Grant Township and fled into the woods when deputies responded.

“The vehicle rolled a number of times,” said Mason County Prosecutor Paul Spaniola. He attempted to steal a flashlight from a citizen who had heard the crash and came out of his house to help him.

Weathers spent the night sleeping in the woods.

“A firefighter who responded to the crash the night before recognized the person and reported him at the Forest Trail Service Center,” said Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole. “Mason County sheriff’s deputies arrived, one being (the late) K-9 Cash, and (Weathers) reportedly fled back into the woods. Upon hearing the dog exit the patrol car, he came out of the woods with his hands up.”

Weathers has a “lengthy criminal history,” Spaniola said, and was on parole at time of the offense for convictions of first-degree home invasion, second-degree home invasion, third-degree home invasion and felonious assault.

“My client acknowledges he did wrong here,” said Weathers’ attorney, Al Swanson, Jr. Because he was on parole, he receives zero credit for the four months he spent in jail. Swanson asked Judge Susan K. Sniegowski to consider reducing Weathers’ one-year term based on the four moths he served.

“I would just like to apologize first and foremost for this incident,” Weathers said. “I would really like to apologize to my lady because she’s pregnant, and this is doing her the most harm.”

Judge Sniegowski said Weathers intentionally drove his car off the road as a suicide attempt.

Judge Sniegowski imposed the full one-year jail term but will review Weathers’ case in six months

“I would like to see a mental health treatment plan,” she said. “I will impose the full amount right now, but I’m willing to reconsider if I see a plan that addresses how he’s going to transition back into the community.” At the review time, the court will also have information regarding how the Michigan Department of Corrections is going to handle his parole violations.

Sentencing guidelines in the case are 12-36 months.

This story is copyrighted © 2019, all rights reserved by Media Group 31, LLC, PO Box 21, Scottville, MI 49454. No portion of this story or images may be reproduced in any way, including print or broadcast, without expressed written consent.