Hale Charged In Serious Accident

Zanesville Police say they have charged a man in connection with an accident that seriously injured an area woman last weekend. Detective Tom Porter says 41-year-old Michael Hale Jr. of Zanesville is facing multiple charges including one count each of motor vehicle theft, credit card theft and misuse of a credit card. Porter says Hale is also facing charges of operating a vehicle under the influence, two counts of aggravated vehicular assault and failure to comply with risk of physical assault. Police say Hale was being pursued in a stolen truck northbound on Dresden Road last Saturday morning, ran a red light and slammed into a car driven by 27-year-old Tiffaney Branson of Zanesville who was on Dresden Road. Both drivers were seriously injured and police say both are expected to make a full recovery. Branson remains hospitalized; Hale is in the city jail.