Dowagiac resident convicted of driving lawn mower while drunk

CASS COUNTY, Mich. -- A Dowagiac resident was convicted of his third drunk driving charge for driving his riding lawn mower down a dark Cass County road with a  BAC of .28.

Steven Bakeman was arrested on June 11, 2017 after Cass County deputies responded to an assault complaint.

On June 11, 2017, Cass County deputies were called to investigate an assault complaint.

While responding to the call, they found Steven Bakeman driving his John Deere lawn mower down Middle Crossing Road in Silver Creek Township.

The lawn mower had no lights and was traveling down a dark road, posing a hazard to other vehicles.

When officers stopped Bakeman, he said Bakeman he was looking for his children to give them a ride home. He admitted to drinking beer and liquor.

Deputies testified Bakeman was so intoxicated he was unable to complete field sobriety tests.

The jury deliberated for ten minutes before finding Bakeman guilty.

Cass County Prosecutor Victor Fitz advised that “Mixing booze, a motor vehicle and a roadway is never a good idea.  Cars, trucks, motorcycles, riding lawn mowers, golf carts, it doesn’t matter.  Someone can get hurt or killed.  There were kids in the area.  It was dark.  The mower lights were not on.  Not a good idea.”

Bakeman will be sentence on April 13. He could be sentenced to up to 5 years in prison.