Police identify Clare hit-and-run driver accused of injuring motorcyclist and passenger

CLARE — On July 18 around 11:23 p.m., a serious accident occurred at the intersection of 5th and McEwan in the city of Clare.

A white Chevrolet SUV, driven by Thomas Vernon Claringbold III of Clare, was speeding south on McEwan and struck an orange Harley Davidson motorcycle at the intersection, police said.

The motorcycle was carrying a male driver and a female passenger, both from Mason, MI, who suffered serious injuries, police said. One person was taken by ambulance, while the other was flown out of the Clare Municipal Airport by a FlightCare helicopter.

Claringbold, who fled the scene, was quickly located and identified. Police said he was uninjured. He was arrested and charged with the following crimes:

• Two counts of Operating- While Intoxicated Causing Serious Injury (5-year Felony)
• Two counts of Failing to Stop at the Scene of an Accident Resulting in Serious Impairment or death (5-year felony)
• Two counts Reckless Driving Causing Serious Impairment of a Body Function (5-year felony)
• One count Failure to Report a Accident (90-day Misdemeanor)

He is being held in the Clare County Jail on a $250,000 bond.