Newberry Woman Cited After Attempting to Cross Closed Mackinac Bridge

A Newberry woman was cited for disobeying a lawful order of a police officer and disregarding a traffic control device after attempting to cross the Mackinac Bridge while it was closed, according to the Mackinaw City Police Department.

On Thursday around 4:15 p.m., the Mackinaw City Police Department was advised by the Mackinac Bridge Authority that there was a car parked on I-75 near the south end of the Mackinac Bridge facing northbound in a southbound lane.

Officers say the driver was identified as a 69-year-old Newberry woman, who stated that she wanted to go home and was tired of waiting for the bridge to open.

They say the woman was advised that the bridge was still closed due to falling ice and that she needed to turn around and leave I-75. The woman did so and parked somewhere downtown, according to police.

About an hour later, the 69-year-old decided to cross the bridge and proceeded northbound in the southbound while the bridge was still closed.

The Mackinaw City Police Department eventually stopped her approximately one mile north from the south end of the bridge.

They say the 69-year-old was cited for disobeying a lawful order of a police officer and disregarding a traffic control device.

The woman was escorted off of the bridge and was told not to cross until the bridge re-opens.

Officers say there were no further incidents with the driver.