Grand Rapids Police will review the handling of an possible alcohol related accident involving Kent County Assistant Prosecutor Josh Kuiper.
Police say that on Nov. 19, Kuiper was involved in a wrong-way crash on Union Avenue SE near Avalon. "An individual by the name of Joshua Kuiper was driving a vehicle, that was traveling southbound on Union approaching Avalon, when that vehicle struck a parked vehicle," Grand Rapids Police Department Sgt. Terry Dixon, said.
Kuiper hit a parked car and a man standing right next to it. The victim tells WZZM he flew 60 feet when he was hit, hurting his shoulder, back, and hip. He was transported to the hospital.
Body cam video and police confirm Kuiper did admit to drinking. An officer performed a number of field sobriety tests. Once the tests were complete, video footage shows Kuiper is put in the squad car.
On Friday, police say they are not sure when, but at some point during the crash investigation, officers were made aware Kuiper is an Assistant Prosecutor.
A second clip of body cam video shows Kuiper being taken out of the car.
"Based on the dexterity tasks and I don't know smell any alcohol coming off your person, it appears to be a crash," the officer said in the body camera footage. "I don't have enough pc (probable cause) to offer a PBT (portable breathalyzer test) at this time because you did well in the dexterity tasks. At this point, we'll get your car towed your vehicle towed and make sure you get home," the officer said.
Despite appearing to struggle with the field sobriety test, Kuiper has never given a breathalyzer. Police tell us the officer did mark alcohol as a contributing factor to the crash in the police report. However, the officer of 11 years still let Kuiper go with only wrong way driving ticket.
On Friday, they launched an internal review surrounding that officer's actions.
"Just the question regarding its appropriateness regarding that the individual did say he had been drinking, the decision was made not to provide a breathalyzer. We're just looking into the details of that a little bit more," Dixon said.
Police say its unclear how long the review will take. The officer will continue to work. As for Kuiper, the Kent County Prosecutor's office did confirm he is on leave and has been demoted due to this incident.
The victim tells WZZM he is exploring legal action.