Driver in fatal wreck charged with DUI

Michael Madkins

By Amy Weaver
Published: March 12, 2010

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The driver of a vehicle involved in a fatal wreck early Monday morning on Shug Jordan Parkway in Auburn was arrested Thursday afternoon.

Auburn police Capt. Tom Stofer said Michael M. Madkins, 18, of Elk Grove, Calif., was released from the East Alabama Medical Center and taken straight to the Lee County Detention Center to be booked in on a charge of driving under the influence.

Police believe Madkins was driving a Range Rover Discovery east on Shug Jordan near Wire Road when he apparently lost control, causing the vehicle to overturn several times and eject all three occupants — Madkins, Garrett Schlichtemeier, 19, of Ogallala, Neb., and Tyler Perri, 18, of Covina, Calif.

Madkins and Schlichtemeier were taken to the hospital for treatment. Schlichtemeier died approximately eight hours later from a severe closed head injury. Perri did not seek medical treatment.

The young men were members of the football team at Chadron State College in Chadron, Neb. Police have suspected that they were on their way to a spring break gathering in Spanish Fort and had stopped in Auburn to visit with a friend before proceeding on with their trip.

Stofer said the police division would not release Madkins’ blood alcohol level, but the case against the student-athlete will be given to the Lee County District Attorney’s Office for presentation at the next grand jury session.