Breaking news … Councilmember ticketed for leaving the scene of an accident

Robert Zwolak

By Charles Sercombe
The campaign trail for City Councilmember Robert Zwolak took a literal bump in the road.
According to a police report, On Saturday night at 11:40 p.m. Zwolak was seen getting into his car in a parking lot on Jos. Campau and Commor after being in PLAV Post 10.
As he attempted to exit his parking space he struck another car several times, including on both sides of the car, said a source who knows the car owner.
Here is what Acting Police Chief Anne Moise said about the incident in an email:
“The incident was witnessed and recorded on a cellphone by someone across the street. Officers responded to the area and spoke with the witness and the victim. After running the license plate via LEIN, it was determined that the suspect vehicle belonged to Councilman Zwolak.
“Officers went to the Councilman’s residence and spoke with him. He stated that he did hit a vehicle causing damage to his vehicle and that there may be damage to the other vehicle. The officers issued Councilman Zwolak a citation for Leaving the Scene of a Property Damage Accident. This violation is a misdemeanor charge.”

Asked why Zwolak was not subjected to a sobriety test, since he had been seen drinking in Post 10 before he left the bar, Chief Moise said:

“It is my understanding that the officers did not observe obvious signs of intoxication when they spoke to him at his residence more than 30 minutes after the initial incident had occurred.”

In an interview with a Fox 2 Detroit reporter, Zwolak said he struck the car because he was pinned in and didn’t want to stay for fear of being carjacked. He said more would come out about the incident when he goes to court.
Zwolak came in third place in the Primary Election in what was a tight race among the top six finishers.
The General Election is Tuesday, Nov. 3.

This story was updated on Nov. 3.