Police: Drunk Father Had 9-Year-Old Son Drive
Police: Drunk Father Had 9-Year-Old Son Drive Save Email Print
Posted: 9:11 PM Dec 26, 2007
 Last Updated: 1:50 PM Dec 27, 2007
 Reporter: Beth Shayne
Email Address: beth.shayne@wilx.com
20 comments
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In attempting to avoid a DUI, Jonathan David Olson got one and then some.

The 32-year-old Eaton Rapids man is charged with Operating While Intoxicated, a 3rd offense, Allowing an Unlicensed Minor to Operate, Transporting Alcohol in a Vehicle and Child Abuse, after he had his 9-year-old drive their truck home from a get-together on Christmas Eve.

An off-duty Eaton Rapids cop spotted the pick-up driving erratically on Kemler Road just outside Eaton Rapids. He called for sheriff's deputies who pulled the car over and found the boy in the driver's seat. His father, Olson, was in the middle seat. The boy told police he'd pushed the pedals at his dad's instructions, and his dad steered the truck.

"That is absolutely unacceptable," Prosecutor Jeff Sauter says, "He not only isn't licensed, he doesn't have training, he doesn't have experience--it's not a safe act."

The child said they'd traveled 7 to 8 miles that way. A blood alcohol test on Olson is pending.

This would be his fourth drunk driving conviction if he's guilty. They began before he was even 21. He is also awaiting sentencing on unrelated charges.

The judge ordered a $50,000 cash bond and put conditions on release. He says Olson must wear an alcohol monitoring tether and avoid alcohol, and also stay away from his son.
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Posted by: pauline Location: holt on Dec 30, 2007 at 09:43 AM
many are up set this guy got away with more than some.which our laws are that way.under 21 for drinking laws need changed,as adult over 21 still depends who you are.this 32 yr has had problems before 21.mom says don't put this guy behind bars either.as mom thinks he should not go to prison.at this point there is no other answer.he needs to be stoped.and the child needs to get away from this kind of examples.if this person is ever ready to admit he has a problem and get help,so be it.till then he is not a decent parent.there are some that never stop drinking,or change there ways.we should not make excuses for thoes with drinking problems.or should we put up with there violence,or allow them to envolve kids in any way.all the counciling in the world does not take all the pain away,that a drunk did to someone.I have 2 grand children that lost there dad in a bad accident.do to a drunk driver and his bad judgement.they'll never have there dad back.death is final.jail time isn't.
Posted by: carrie Location: hudson on Dec 29, 2007 at 10:16 AM
we can not change other people,only our selves.first one has to be able to admit they have a problem.many of people have suffered over what someone else has done when there drunk.laws are out there,some don't apply to certain people.one can get 5yrs one can get a slap on the hand.the courts are full of under aged teen breaking the laws,drugs,drinking,thief ect.the bad part is conseling and all tried does no good.then when the child reaches certain ages they go through the adult laws.reapeating crimes.how much has this 9 yr old seen,what effect will it have on him in the future?many little kids pick up things and when it is done by a parent they feel it is alright.parents are not to teach children this kind of actions,or put there life in any danger.being a good parent means conducting yourself in the right ways.this parent is 32 yr and has not got it right yet.some never do and when children are envolved actions must be taken.do the crime do the time.
Posted by: pammie Location: flint on Dec 28, 2007 at 01:07 PM
this guy does need help.first he needs to admit it and do something about it himself.no matter how family feels or pleads.it is up to him.as many children have suffered by a parent who can't control there drinking.when children see these things there life can follow in the same footsteps.many children start drinking,as they see parents do it.booze is in the house and when no one is looking,they start getting there first taste.mom or dad can do it,so can I.same way with drugs.the parents must set the example.as this man set a bad example and the courts will step in.all rehabilation can not always take away all scares,mentally or physically.loving someone and being able to live with them,or be around them is not always possible.some drinkers just can't change.tough love.no mom likes there kid behind bars,as they keep making excuses for them.as many wives have tried to do with a drunk husband,to keep a marriage together.it just don't work that way.the suffering goes on.does mom want that?
Posted by: vince Location: quincy on Dec 28, 2007 at 12:25 PM
a guy I new attended AAA meeting 2 times aweek.right after the meetings he went to the bars,getting drunk,falling down,no problem.married 4 times,severly beating 3 wives.never hit the 4th,but mess up the house in drunken rages.6 kids total.one died due to a drunk diver in an accident he was in as all people in car were drunk,1 died 4 walked.closed casket it was so bad.as 1 out of 6 kids followed in dad footsteps.it does matter what kids see growing up.as drunks do not set good examples for children.if the boy has a dad,it is up to the dad.the man has proved to have many problems with breaking the law and drinking.right now the way he is will not help the child.it is a two way street.you can't be a good son if you have a bad dad.where ever this gathering took place,no one should have let him drive drunk,or put the child behind the wheel.endangering both or anyone on the road.this does not say much good for thoes people.how many chances does one need?
Posted by: joe Location: holt on Dec 28, 2007 at 10:22 AM
when recieving the first ticket,that was his clue to get help.3 or more offenses?he hasn't learned a thing.of course many are mad as a small child was envolved.the families of these people with drinking problems,it don't do them any favors and can be with them as many lives are just ruined.getting a dad like this out of any childs life,does matter.as it is not the example a child needs.kids don't need to be around adults drinking and carrying on.mom in eaton rapids if you think it is all so easy to get someone help after all this time,your in deniel.this person has a diease true.how many times has he been in trouble with the law?drinking is no excuse to ones actions.he choose to continue to drink,he did not seek help for how long now?may be he's not ready to admit he has a problem and get serious help.he lies to himself and others.do not make excuses for people with drinking problems,as it makes them worse.no mom wants to see there son locked up,but at this time it is best for all.
Posted by: andy Location: sturgis on Dec 28, 2007 at 10:05 AM
feeling sorry for this guy is not what he needs.just because he was drunk,gives him no excuses to what he does.or anyone.this child is old enough to remember this.could of been hurt or someone else could of been hurt due to this drunk dession.till you see first hand what results of drunk driving can do.many young people get trapped in cars and catches a fire,burns them alive,driver was drunk.or when you see them lieing all over the road,mangled,and dead.as the car flipped throwing them out,no seat belts,to drunk to put them on.ask all the severly beaten women,some man was drunk.or abused children who drunken parent beat them to hard or killed there mom in a drunken rage.or thoes waking up next to whom ever,so drunk they didn't know who they sleep with.this guy needs help alright,starting with some dry out time,then if he wants help he will get it.kids don't need parents that get so drunk they tell a child to drive.it is up to this man if he can be a good dad or not.it is his choice.??
Posted by: christen Location: holt on Dec 27, 2007 at 09:56 PM
I'm sorry I can not feel sorry for this guy.he's proven to of broke the law driving how many times?and yes,he put the boys life in danger.he got how many breaks?maybe some extended time in jail will dry him out,and then he can want help or not.if he does he will get help if he don't oh well.not all drinkers change.some are violent.some break the laws in many ways.as this person is right now,he is no good to his son.can not set a good example.and the child should not have contact with this type of parent.he made the choice to drink,so he pay for his actions.he is old enough to know right from wrong.there is no excuse.alcholism is a disease,and kills many innocent people.drunk drivers have killed how many people in accidents?how many have used guns drunk and killed someone.how many have been beaten by the drunk?drunk kills alright,many who are just in a drunks way.cancer kills the person with it only.a bad dad,is not what this child needs.and enless dad changes,he don't need a son.
Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 27, 2007 at 09:39 PM
not all WANT help,they keep repeating the drinking thing.your dam right it impaires your judgements.what this man did?we are to feel sorry for him?any excuse when drinking you can do whatever?no it don't work that way.he did put the child in danger.oh yes the families of the drunks need help.ya you bet as my whole face was rearranged so many times as I lay beaten so badly I could not walk,had no way to call for help and back then no where to turn,as he left to go where ever I'd find my self wakeing up and crawling to take care of 3 small children,he'd be gone or 2 weeks comming back and promising to never again.and to stop drinking.after 7 yrs of this I got away.only because he had someone else pregant.ruined my whole life as I lost one son at 24,he wanted to be like dad.drunk driveing accident.my other 2 are not drinkers.dad never quite drinking,died at 59.liver problems and cancer.my health has been bad for yrs.too many times I seen what drunks can do.they stop drinking or they don't.
Posted by: JB Location: Jackson on Dec 27, 2007 at 08:29 PM
This guy is no father not when you do things like this. His children need to be taken away from him and he needs to have all custody rights taken away so he can never see or have his children ever again. If he can not control his drinking then he needs to get help or just lock him up and never let him out. This is just no way to treat your children and they should never be subject to this kind of stuff. This is sending a message that this kind of behavior is ok and it really is not. They are at a age where this is a teaching time and should be shown proper things and not crap like this. It is time for this dude to grow up and act like a man and not the drunk he has become.
Posted by: a mom Location: eaton rapids on Dec 27, 2007 at 06:37 PM
heaven help you all as you sit and read and listen to this as who are you to place judgement on this guy. someone who has been in trouble with the law and something so horrible as this obviously needs some rehabilitation. families have failed and the system will lock him away. of course you will feel safer...but how about the son who will be left. how about getting help to repair the situation. putting this guy in prison doesnt fix it. he needs some help. alcoholism is a disease. when we get cancer we do everything we can to stay alive I see no difference. alot of diseases take control of our bodies well what does alcohol it impairs our judgement and when you can stop than you need some help. families need rehabilitation also when living with a drunk. but lets keep you safe. lock him away or shoot him as you suggest. society is hopeless. and so are alot of the readers.
Posted by: bill Location: eaton county on Dec 27, 2007 at 04:20 PM
I know him. He is dangerous to anyone who comes in contact with him. I hope he goes away for a long time. His son does not deserve to be abused, or witness abuse of others. Someone please give that boy a chance at a NORMAL life!
Posted by: help Location: holt on Dec 27, 2007 at 02:57 PM
I'm still shaking my head on this one. Four times, really? Seems to me the blame goes to our great police departments. So, if you get arrested your record doesn't show the offense or the date or lets say, your name?? What about the family/friends at this get together? Where they all Drunk? I pray for this boy that he can overcome seeing his dad being hauled off on Christmas Eve and for all he has to endure.
Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 27, 2007 at 02:09 PM
wow!!! Give him the father of the year award!!!
Posted by: David Location: Charlotte on Dec 27, 2007 at 02:01 PM
This guy is scum I agree with you John blow his head off and get rid of him. Any one that drives and drinks should have there licence talken away for good and never get it back no matter what. But you know what happens some ambulance chasing lawyer will pled that he had a bad childhood and get him off with miminal time and then rehab and cost taxpayers mony Thank God the kid is okey I think that the man shouldnt get his kid back.
Posted by: Karen Location: jackson on Dec 27, 2007 at 01:03 PM
I have a grandson that is 8yrs. old. I can't even imagine him behind a wheel. Terrified that poor boy must have been. That dad has no place to be even called a Dad. spend some time in jail and grow up....
Posted by: HARLAN Location: JACKSON on Dec 27, 2007 at 11:27 AM
They should take this child away from this dad and put him in JAIL for a VERY VERY long time. and like John in Lansing said the legislaturs do the same thing so they are not going to pass a law that would do something to put them selves in Jail.
Posted by: Tim Location: Lansing on Dec 27, 2007 at 10:30 AM
3 times arrested for drunk driving? I have a family memeber that was arrested once in Metro Detroit and he was very close to serving jail time, how is this guy still on the streets? Is he taking any alcohol abuse classes? Has his license been permanently revoked? Come on people, what is going on with the world today?
Posted by: John Location: Lansing on Dec 27, 2007 at 08:34 AM
How is the heck can a person get FOUR drunk driving offenses and not be in prison? OH yeah are incompetent legislatures get tanked up and drive themselves. If he got caught FOUR times, I would bet has been drinking and driving maybe 10 to 50 times to be caught four of them. Shoot him in the head and be done with him...he is a worthless individual.
Posted by: tim Location: holt on Dec 27, 2007 at 08:16 AM
guess this so called dad hasn't learned a thing in his drinking yrs.he has a real problem.and is teaching his child all the wrong things.and put the childs life in danger and others that may of been on the road.why was the boy with him in the first place,and where was the mom.why did people at the get together even let him leave with a child?many questions to this one.please give follow up and better details.we can only hope the child has no more contact with the father.3rd offense says there is a problem.not saying how many times he didn't get caught.some never learn.all the problems that could of been caused.lucky for many this guy was stopped.needs locked up for yrs.
Posted by: Kim Location: Jackson on Dec 26, 2007 at 11:48 PM
Imagine how scared the poor child must have been. The irresponsibility of some parents makes me SICK. I hope this jerk has a long time in jail to think about the danger that his selfishness placed the child in.
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  • Posted By: bob: motorcycles suck!!!!
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