MI: Stray pellets strike car; police suspect turkey hunter

May 7, 2010

Stray pellets strike Swartz Creek couple's car; police suspect wayward turkey hunter

FLINT TOWNSHIP, Michigan -- Due to the rain, Genny and Ken Harrington decided to drive to the Genesee Valley Center this morning for a brisk indoor walk when they were startled by a loud noise and felt something hitting the car.

Ken Harrington, 81, was steering their Malibu north on Linden Road, just south of I-69, when the intrusion occurred around 8:45 a.m.. Later, they counted 65 little dents on the car's driver's side.

Township Police believe the Harringtons were victims of a wayward turkey hunter armed with a shotgun.

"I suspect that this was just a random incident involving a hunter that probably wasn't using the best judgment," said Sgt. Jim Baldwin.

The area, approaching the township's commercial district, has some open spaces around it and a nearby trailer park. But no hunting is allowed anywhere nearby, he said.

"We're just going to keep on the look-out that people aren't hunting there," he said. Genny Harrington, 73, said she and her husband, who live in Swartz Creek, were shaken up but were uninjured.

"My husband had thought someone had just thrown something at the car," said Genny Harrington, adding she was grateful her husband maintained control of the vehicle during the unexpected "loud noise" striking their car.

"Yes, we're fine. But we didn't walk as much as we normally do," she said. "I don't need anything more like that."

Baldwin asks that anyone who hears of hunting in the area should call the police department at 600-3250.

The spring season for hunting wild turkeys started in April..

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