A 70-year-old man from Saranac was arraigned on Friday, Feb. 13 on multiple charges related to a fatal crash that took place in September in Otsego County.
According to the Michigan State Police, troopers from the Gaylord Post responded to a two-vehicle crash on Sept. 20, 2025 on M-32 near Buell Road in Elmira Township.
The preliminary investigation found that a Ford SUV, occupied by a single driver, was traveling eastbound on M-32 when it crossed the centerline and struck a westbound Dodge pickup truck head-on. The pickup truck was occupied by four individuals. The truck occupants included the driver, a 78-year-old man from Gaylord; the front seat passenger, a 79-year-old man from Plymouth; and two back seat passengers, both 76-year-old women, one from Gaylord and one from Plymouth.
The driver of the Ford SUV, who has since been identified as Michael Burlingame, 70, of Saranac, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to a local hospital.
All four occupants of the Dodge pickup truck were also transported to the hospital for treatment, three with critical injuries. The 76-year-old woman from Gaylord died due to injuries sustained in the crash on Nov. 3.
According to law enforcement officials, a handgun was located during a search of the SUV and the owner did not possess a Concealed Pistol License. The Michigan State Police continued its investigation into the cause of the crash and their findings were submitted to the Otsego County Prosecutor’s Office for review.
Burlingame was arrested on Feb. 12 and arraigned on Feb. 13 in the 87-A District Court in Otsego County. He was charged with one count of Operating – While Intoxicated Causing Death, one count of Reckless Driving Causing Death, two counts of Operating – While Intoxicated Causing Serious Injury, two counts of Reckless Driving Causing Serious Impairment of a Body Function and one count of Weapons – Carrying Concealed Weapon.
Burlingame’s next court appearance is scheduled for Feb. 19.
This story has been updated to correct a spelling error.
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Charges filed in fatal Elmira crash that killed 1, injured 4 in September
Reporting by Jillian Fellows, The Petoskey News-Review / The Petoskey News-Review
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